Anti Federalists Essay

706 Words2 Pages

The Anti-Federalists were not in favor of ratifying the new Constitution. Some Anti-Federalists wanted to keep the Articles of Confederation, others wanted to add some things and change some things in the new Constitution before they agreed to ratify it. Some very important Anti-Federalist’s were Patrick Henry, George Mason, and Richard Henry Lee. Anti-Federalists tended to be poorer and in lower classes than the Federalists. These people feared a central government and were afraid that the government proposed by the new Constitution could easily turn into a tyranny. The Federalists argued that the United States needed a strong central government in order to stand a chance against foreign powers, amongst other reasons that were all beneficial In 1791, the first 10 amendments, which became known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified. These amendments included many of the same rights that the Anti-Federalists had argued for, including freedom of speech, press and religion, and the right to bear arms. Both sides had well thought out arguments as to why a Bill of Rights was needed or not needed in the Constitution. Eventually, they came to a compromise and added the Bill of Rights as the first ten amendments. Overall, I believe the Federalists had a better argument on the subject of U.S Constitutional arrangements. The Federalists truly understood what America needed. If it had not been for the Federalists, our country would be completely different. As for the Anti-Federalists, they had some good points, but the Federalists were able to refute every argument. Without the Federalists and the Constitution, the United States of America might not have even

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