Anti-Federalists
Definition
Anti-Federalists were those who opposed the creation of a stronger U.S. federal government and which later opposed the ratification of the 1787 Constitution.
Analogy
Imagine if your school proposed merging all classes into one giant class taught by one teacher (a stronger federal government). The Anti-Federalists are like students who prefer smaller classes where they can get more attention from different teachers (states with more power).
Related terms
Federalists: Supporters of a stronger central government who advocated for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
Bill of Rights: The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, added in response to Anti-Federalist concerns about protecting individual liberties against federal overreach.
Ratification Debate: The intense public debate over whether or not to approve ("ratify") the new U.S. Constitution.
"Anti-Federalists" appears in:
Subjects (1)
Study guides (1)
Practice Questions (7)
Which body of writing is considered as a response to the Anti-Federalists like Brutus?
What is the name of the document that listed rights protected from government infringement, which was added to appease Anti-Federalists?
What was a common concern among Anti-Federalists regarding the new Constitution?
What was primary influence behind Anti-Federalists' demand for a Bill of Rights during Constitutional ratification debates?
What was a common argument used by anti-federalists during both the ratification debates and later in opposition to Hamilton's financial plan?
How might the trajectory of American government have been different if the Anti-Federalists had succeeded in blocking the adoption of the Constitution?
Which contemporary issue reflects the historical tension between federalists and anti-federalists in the United States?
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