Anti-Federalists

Group One- Apryl, Asia, Felisha, Lisa & Sheena

Back Ground Information

Anti-federalists believed that the new government based on the Constitution was an “enemy of freedom”.

Anti-Federalists were made up of small farmers, shopkeepers, laborers not prominenant business owners

Eventually the group known as the Anti-Federalists would become the Democratic- Republican Party of Thomas Jefferson.

Famous Anti-federalists

What they were against…

The New Constitution to them was a class-based document

It is intended to ensure that a particular economic elite controlled the public policies of national government

It would erode the fundamental liberties.A constitutional government would be too

strong in their eyes.They believed that a strong national

government would become a threat to individuals' rights, and the President would be considered a king

What they argued for…

They often believed that the Articles of Confederation were enough to guide the national government.

Strong state governments & weak national governments

direct election of officials.shorter termsrule by the “common man”strengthened protections for individual

liberties (Bill of Rights)

What eventually happened

Both Federalists and Anti-Federalists compromised by agreeing to add amendments to the document, specifically to protect the individual rights and liberties of the people.

This would become the Bill of Rights.

Why it’s important to now

-It protected the basic rights of the people via the Bill of Rights

     -it brought a more conservative government to our nation

The Bill of Rights