Federalist vs Anti-Federalist Lesson

George Mason

Anti-Federalists, Federalists,

The Federalist Papers

SS.8.17A Analyze the arguments of the Federalists
and Anti-Federalists, including those of Alexander

Hamilton, Patrick Henry, James Madison, and George

Mason

SS.8.4D Analyze the issues of the Constitutional

Convention of 1787, including the Great Compromise

and the Three-Fifths Compromise.

Articles of Confederation

• Pros

– Provides for a common

defense force

– Allows each state to retain

its independence and
sovereignty

• State constitutions

– Powers

• Declare war
• Negotiate w/other

countries

• Postal system

• Cons

– No power to tax
– No power to regulate

interstate commerce

– No strong central voice for

negotiation

– No way to deal with

Revolutionary debt

– No common currency
– Inconsistent representation

in Congress

– 1 state : 1 vote

Important Compromises

• Between small states and large states

– The “Great Compromise” (Connecticut Compromise)

• Bicameral Congress (2 houses)

– House of Representatives- based on population
– Senate- based on statehood (Each state has two senators)

– 3/5 Compromise

• Slaves to be counted as 3/5 a person
• Every 5 slaves got their owners 3 votes

– Electoral College

• President to be elected indirectly using the Electoral College

1.

After the Constitution was signed on September
17, 1787, the fight for Ratification began.

2.

9 out of 13 states had to ratify the Constitution
before it would go into effect.

3.

Two factions (opposing groups) emerged:
A. Federalists who supported the Constitution
B. Anti-Federalists who opposed to the

Constitution

4.

These two groups argued for their position in
newspapers, magazines, and pamphlets until
the Constitution was ratified by the 9thand
decisive state on June 21, 1788

5. Ideology of Factions

Federalists

Anti-Federalists

Supported removing some powers

from the states and giving more

power to the national government.

Wanted important political powers

to remain with the states.

Favored dividing powers among
different branches of government.

Wanted the legislative branch to

have more power than an

executive.

Proposed a single person to lead

the executive branch.

Feared that a strong executive
might become a king or tyrant.

Believed Constitution did not

need a Bill of Rights

Wanted a Bill of Rights added to

the Constitution

Anti-Federalists

1. Led by Thomas Jefferson and included farmers

and small landowners who believed nation’s future
rested on agriculture.

2. Arguments made by Anti-Federalists

A. The Constitutional Convention went beyond what

they were charged to do. (illegal-Treason)

B. A strong national government would destroy

states’ rights.

C. Resembled a monarchy with its concentration of

power

D. Did not have a Bill of Rights

Federalists

1.

Argued that the new nation needed an effective national
government to handle the nation’s economy, establish its
monetary system, promote justice, and protect individual
liberty.

2.

Took name “Federalists” show link to “Federalism”
A. Federalism: government power is distributed among the

states, but the power of the central authority outweighs
the authority of the states.

3.

Included Alexander Hamilton, George Washington,
Benjamin Franklin, and James Madison.

4.

Wrote a series of letters/essays called the Federalist
papers in support of the new constitution.

The Federalist Papers

1. Written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and

John way under pen name Publius (Latin word for
public).

2. A series of letters published in newspapers
3. Written for three reasons:

A. To influence the vote in favor of ratification
B. To explain the Constitution for future

interpretation

C. Outlined how the Constitution should be set up

4. Included 85 letters published from October 1787 to

April 1788 and later bound in book form.

The Federalist Papers

5.

Arguments made by The Federalist Papers

A. Federalists 1-14 stressed importance of the Union

B. Federalists’ 15-22 stressed inadequacy of the Articles of

confederation

C. Federalists 23-36 Explained arguments for the Type of

Government Contained in the Constitution

D. Federalists 37-51 Explained the Republican Form of

Government

E. Federalists 52-83 explained the 3 branches of government.

F. Federalists 84-85 answers questions of objections to the

Constitution

Ratification

1. In the spirit of Compromise, the Federalists agreed to add

a Bill of Rights which helped the document to be ratified.

2. Delaware was the first state to ratify the document on

December 7,1787.

3. New Hampshire was the 9thand decisive state.
4. North Carolina became the 12thstate to ratify the

Constitution whey they approved the document on
November 21, 1789. Rhode Island was the last to ratify in
1790.

5. Once the document was ratified questions arose on how to

put the Constitution into practice leading to the growth of
political parties.

1. Led by George Washington

and Alexander Hamilton

2. Believed in a strong central

government

3. Supported loose

interpretation of the
constitution.

4. Believed future of country

rested on manufacturing
and industry.

A.

1. Led by Thomas Jefferson

and James Madison

2. Believed in states’ rights
3. Wanted strict

interpretation of the
Constitution

4. Believed that the future of

the nation rested with
agriculture.

B.