Federalists vs Anti-Federalists

Early in American history, while revolutionary soldiers fought the fight for political independence against the British and important battle over freedom raged between the new nation’s leading revolutionaries. By the end of the war the fighting had reached a fever pitch as pointed, provocative and seemingly anonymous letters were published by the key representatives of two different political factions, many of whom were representatives at the Constitutional Convention, which was endeavoring to write out a document that would more or less define the political structure and trajectory of the whole country. These two factions were the Federalist and the Anti-Federalists and they’re quarrel was over what a right understanding of federalism, republicanism and America was.

While many different issues littered they’re public debate through published tracts, booklets and a litany of news articles in all the most important newspapers a great portion of the debate centered on the territorial size of the burgeoning republic. What, if any, relationship does the territorial size of the whole country have with the liberty and freedom of the people? Federalists and Anti-Federalists answered differed significantly on the question. Federalist tended to believe proper balance could most assuredly be maintained in a well-structured central government of diverse states; the great problem of liberty was not in too much growth or central power but rather too little. A strong union needed a strong growing economy which entailed territorial growth along with a strong federal government that could maintain order, structure, and unity. The Anti-Federalist disagreed markedly; they believed the size of the country would greatly effective the kind of re...

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... why a Bill of Rights was adopted and amended the Constitution, to solidify freedoms so fundamental, no vote or law should ever violate it.

So in conclusion, federalism and republicanism were difficult to define and much fought over in the early years of America. Competing visions were presented at the Constitutional Convention and to the American public through the writings, speeches and other works of the Federalists and Anti-Federalists. One of the biggest topics was the effect of land, territorial size and federal power on the liberty of the people. The two sides opposed each other and eventually, the Federalist vision won the day and the Constitution was ratified. Still, the work of the Anti-Federalists lived on in documents like the Virginia-Kentucky Resolutions and most importantly, in the amendments made to the Constitution through the Bill of Rights.