Federalist vs. Antifederalist Views PDF

American Government / American History Federalist vs. Antifederalist Views The Federalist and Antifederalist Parties were the first two political parties which formed during the Presidency of George Washington. Washington never joined a party as he believed doing so would be benea...

American Government / American History Federalist vs. Antifederalist Views The Federalist and Antifederalist Parties were the first two political parties which formed during the Presidency of George Washington. Washington never joined a party as he believed doing so would be beneath the office of the President. The Federalist Party was created by Alexander Hamilton while the Antifederalist Party was created by Thomas Jefferson. Prominent Federalist were John Adams, James Madison, John Jay, John Marshall. Prominent Antifederalists were Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, James Monroe, George Mason. Issues Between the Two Parties 1. Issue 1 a. The creation of a Constitution establishing a strong national government Federalists: Favored Antifederalists: Opposed b. Why? Federalists wanted a strong national government so as to avoid the problems of the Articles of Confederation Antifederalists worried that citizens and states would lose influence with growth of national governments power 2. Issue 2: a. State power Federalists: The two houses of Congress adequately represent the states Antifederalists: Strong state power and influence b. Why? Federalists did not want the national government to be weakened by strong states with power beyond what Congress could provide Antifederalists believed that local control was key to their concept of democracy. There concept of democracy is referred to as state-rights (see Issue 4) 3. Issue 3: a. Articles of Confederation (see end of notes) Federalists: Opposed Antifederalists: Favored b. Why? Federalists opposed the Articles for previously named reasons Antifederalists did admit that the Articles needed a small amount of amending 4. Issue 4: a. Bill of Rights-first ten amendments to the Constitution (Hand Out Bill of Rights) Federalists: Opposed Antifederalists: Favored b. Why? Federalists believed that all the rights which were really needed were already in the Constitution This actually masked a fear that a Bill of Rights, which named specific rights and happened to miss a few, would lead an over-bearing state governments, as well as, a national government, to claim power in any areas not named o Consider Freedom of Speech in the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights. What if it was accidently left out? Look at the Bill of Rights and especially the First Amendment / this is why I agree with the Antifederalists pushing the Bill of Rights. However, I do not agree with all of their reasons o Antifederalists believed that a Bill of Rights was essential to individual liberties (personal freedoms) ▪ Owning slaves was a personal freedom ▪ Antifederalists believed that such personal freedoms were tied to the southern states economies. As such, Antifederalists were concerned about state liberties (known as state-rights) as personal freedoms such as slavery were key to the southern economy 5. Issue 5: a. The creation of a national bank Federalists: Favored Antifederalists: Opposed b. Why? Federalists wanted a strong national economy o National bank branches in many major cities would bring the states into line with the national economic goals o Some Goals ▪ The bank would make revenue collection less complicated ▪ The creation and circulation of money would be less complicated ▪ The credit rating of the US would be greatly strengthened (a sound currency and guaranteed revenue means that other nations would not be afraid to purchase US debt and make loans to the US) Antifederalist feared a strong national economy o Most major financial interests were in the Northern states, which would lead to their domination of the bank and the economy o Some Fears  ▪ Planters in southern states believed northern financial interests enriched themselves with high interest loans ▪ Planters in southern states believed northern financial interests enriched themselves by dictating low prices for cash crops ▪ The southern states feared that northern domination of the economy would lead to their domination of the government, which could lead to major changes to the southern economy and their way of life (remember-slavery was key to the southern economy) Other Considerations: 1. Federalists were large farmers, merchants and artisans. Some Federalists lived in rural areas, but most lived in cities. 2. Antifederalists were planters and small farmers, often from rural areas in the South and West.