Anti-Federalism

Anti-Federalism refers to a diverse group of Americans who opposed the ratification of the 1787 United States Constitution.[1] Anti-Federalists believed a strong central government could become corrupt and tyrannical, as they believed that Great Britain had become. They wanted a weak central government like under the Articles of Confederation.[2]

One of the many points that the Anti-Federalists disagreed with the Federalists was that the Constitution did not have a Bill of Rights.[3] The Federalists argued the Constitution did not need a Bill of Rights but finally agreed to add several amendments to the Constitution.[3] The House of Representatives approved 17 amendments. The Senate passed on 12 of them for ratification by the states.[3] Of the 12, 10 were ratified by the 13 states and became known as the United States Bill of Rights.[3] Virginia was the last to ratify the amendments on December 15, 1791.[3]

Under the new government, many Anti-Federalists created the Democratic-Republican Party, which also wanted a weak central government.

References

  1. ↑ "16b. Antifederalists". US History.org. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  2. ↑ "Anti-Federalists". u-s-history.com. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "Bill Of Rights of The United States of America (1791)". Bill of Rights Institute. Archived from the original on 3 February 2016. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
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