Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists

A bill of rights is not needed. The Constitution is the ultimate protection for the people’s rights and the people the ultimate sovereigns.

• Federalists

• Anti-Federalists

Free government requires the active participation of the people. The national government will be located far from where most people live. As a result, the only way the government will be able to rule is with military.

• Federalists

• Anti-Federalists

The Constitution does not include a bill of rights. A bill of rights is necessary to protect people against the power of the national government.

• Federalists

• Anti-Federalists

No one branch can dominate the others. These systems—separation of powers, and checks and balances—make it impossible for any one person or group to take complete control of the government.

• Federalists

• Anti-Federalists

The Constitution gives too much power to the executive branch of the national government. The executive branch will soon become a monarchy.

• Federalists

• Anti-Federalists

A strong executive branch is necessary so the national government can fulfill its responsibilities. The executive branch cannot become a monarchy.

• Federalists

• Anti-Federalists

The supremacy clause in the Constitution means all the national laws are superior to laws made by the state governments. It will be only a matter of time until state governments are destroyed.

• Federalists

• Anti-Federalists

The Constitution gives the national government too much power at the expense of the state governments, such as the power to tax citizens and raising and keeping an army during peacetime.

• Federalists

• Anti-Federalists

The Constitution provides protections for the state governments by specifically reserving certain powers for the states. This will prevent the states from being destroyed by the national government.

• Federalists

• Anti-Federalists

The national government will have greater power than it did under the Articles of Confederation. But its powers are limited to solving problems that face the entire nation, such as trade and defense.

• Federalists

• Anti-Federalists