What did the Anti-Federalists want in the Constitution?
Asked by: Daryl Turcotte | Last update: February 13, 2026Score: 5/5 (56 votes)
In the broad Anti-Federalist sense, they held that states should be significantly autonomous and independent in their authority, applying the right to self-administration in all significant internal matters without the unwanted interjections of the federal government.
What did the Anti-Federalist want in the Constitution?
In general, the Anti-Federalists believed that the bulk of governing power should reside with the States, as that was the government that was closest to “the people.” The central government, they argued, should be small, not very active, and exist only for very limited purposes, largely collective military defense.
What did Anti-Federalists fear about the Constitution?
The Anti-Federalists feared that the new Constitution gave the national government too much power. And that this new government—led by a new group of distant, out-of-touch political elites—would: Seize all political power. Swallow up the states—the governments that were closest to the people themselves.
What complaints did the Anti-Federalists have about the Constitution?
Five of their most significant objections to the Constitution are summarized in the excerpts that follow: that replacement of the Articles of Confederation was unnecessary; that the new government would give rise to a privileged aristocracy; that a stronger central government would obliterate the states; that a large, ...
What did the Anti-Federalists insist be added to the Constitution?
The Anti-Federalists opposed the ratification of the 1787 U.S. Constitution because they feared that the new national government would be too powerful and thus threaten individual liberties, given the absence of a bill of rights.
Constitutional Convention: Federalists v. Anti-Federalists
Did the Anti-Federalists want a bill of rights?
Antifederalists argued that a bill of rights was necessary because, the supremacy clause in combination with the necessary and proper and general welfare clauses would allow implied powers that could endanger rights. Federalists rejected the proposition that a bill of rights was needed.
What did Anti-Federalists think about taxes?
The Antifederalists' fundamental and most enduring objection against the Constitution was that it contained no limit on the central govern- ment's ability to raise taxes. The unlimited power of Congress to increase taxes was a constant theme in nearly all of the Antifederalist writings.
What did federalists and Anti-Federalists disagree over in the Constitution?
The Federalists contended that a stronger central government would provide a solid base from which New York could grow and prosper. The anti-Federalists clamored for a bill of rights and fought to preserve the autonomy of the state against federal encroachments.
Why is anti-federalist better?
Antifederalist political science advocated concentration of the power of the people and eliminating temptations for the concentration of power in officeholders. The heart of their method was to propose a scheme of representation that safeguarded interests and avoid the clashes of factions.
Did the Anti-Federalists want a monarchy?
Antifederalists, as they came to be called, were the voices warning of tyranny and a new monarchy if too much power was vested in a national body. Though agreeing the Articles needed visions, they preferred the confederation model of vesting most legislative powers within the individual states.
Why didn't the Anti-Federalists want the Constitution?
Anti-Federalists argued that the Constitution gave too much power to the federal government, while taking too much power away from state and local governments. Many felt that the federal government would be too far removed to represent the average citizen.
What do the Anti-Federalists win in their battle against the Constitution?
But while the Antifederalists lost the battle against Constitutional ratification, they won the war by getting the Bill of Rights into the Constitution as its first ten amendments.
How did the Anti-Federalists feel about ratifying the Constitution?
George Washington, though against political parties and divisions, fully supported the ratification of the Constitution. Anti-Federalists feared that the Constitution concentrated too much power in the federal government at the expense of states' rights.
What are the beliefs of an anti-federalist?
Anti-Federalists believed that the new Constitution was designed such that the new government would have too much power. They imagined that the proposed Congress was too capable of assigning new powers to itself, and they thought the President was too close to a monarch in terms of power.
Was Benjamin Franklin a federalist or anti federalist?
Benjamin Franklin, while aligned with the Federalists, was wary of a central government with too much power. He favored a committee to lead the executive branch but accepted having a single president instead. Alexander Hamilton was a leading voice among the Federalists.
What is the main difference between Federalists and Anti-Federalists?
The Federalists like the new Constitution. The Antifederalists don't. They think Americans' freedoms are better protected by state governments. Both sides give speeches and publish essays to persuade the states.
What does the Anti-Federalist writer argue?
Anti-federalists like Patrick Henry, Melancton Smith, and George Clinton argued that the national government proposed under the Constitution would be too powerful and would infringe on individual liberties. They thought the Articles of Confederation needed amended, not replaced.
What was the main goal of the Federalists?
The Federalists called for a strong national government that promoted economic growth and fostered friendly relationships with Great Britain in opposition to Revolutionary France.
What did the Federalists believe about the Constitution?
Federalists argued separation of powers protected rights
In light of charges that the Constitution created a strong national government, they were able to argue that the separation of powers among the three branches of government protected the rights of the people.
Can I legally refuse to pay federal taxes?
Furthermore, the obligation to pay tax is described in section 6151 , which requires taxpayers to submit payment with their tax returns. Failure to pay taxes could subject the noncomplying individual to criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment, as well as civil penalties.
What are the 4 things about Anti-Federalists?
The first in the long line of states' rights advocates, they feared the authority of a single national government, upper-class dominance, inadequate separation of powers, and loss of immediate control over local affairs.
What did the anti federalist believe about the economy?
Limits and controls would prevent intervention by the state in the economic activity of Americans. The Constitution, Antifedralists believed, lacked sufficient mechanisms to prevent such intervention; without such checks, they cautioned, the new government would be able to tax, spend, and regulate without limit.
Who created the bill of rights?
Writing the Bill of Rights
The amendments James Madison proposed were designed to win support in both houses of Congress and the states. He focused on rights-related amendments, ignoring suggestions that would have structurally changed the government.
What type of government did Anti-Federalists favor?
Many Anti-Federalists preferred a weak central government because they equated a strong government with British tyranny. Others wanted to encourage democracy and feared a strong government that would be dominated by the wealthy. They felt that the states were giving up too much power to the new federal government.