Antifederalists Vs Federalists Essay

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After the revolutionary war, America is in danger of having a new government to protect the citizens rights. Antifederalists and Federalists are people who argued over which type of government is needed. Antifederalists argued for the expansion of the National government and did not believe in it. Antifederalists verbally expressed that state government should have more power. Although the Federalists' side was stronger, it is still believed that government will try to take away Natural rights which are life, liberty, and happiness. Federalists are people who support a system of government and wanted to ratify the Constitution. Federalists also believed that the government is superior and believed strong Federal Government. Antifederalists …show more content…

“When governments fear people, there is liberty. When people fear the government, there is Tyranny” is a quote said strongly about government and the Constitution. This is because Antifederalists created a stronger government with British tyranny. Antifederalists favored a small localized government with a limited national authority which was exercised under the Articles of Confederation. Some of the Antifederalists wanted to encourage democracy and feared a strong government would be taken over by the wealthy. Another major problem with the government is that it might lack individual rights, meaning that people could possibly get their rights taken away. North Carolina was strongly Antifederalist, most citizens who lived there were small farmers who were independent but were uneducated. Those who lived in North Carolina gave little thought to other states and regions and were in contact with the weak confederal government. Another major objection to the government was the lack of guarantees of individual rights in the Constitution. Another prominent belief that the Antifederalists strongly believed in was having no …show more content…

Antifederalists had a strong belief that presidents are like kings, Antifederalists charged that a President would have way too much influence over legislation. Federalists, on the other hand, praised the Presidency and wanted it. Antifederalists believed that the President would be the worst type of king which is an elected one. Another objection that the Antifederalists had was that the Constitution provided a president who could be elected again. Patrick Henry who was Antifederalist mentioned that “Your President may easily become a king”. Presidents would most likely veto American citizens' rights and power would be abused. Federalists are wrong for believing in a President especially when it is risking American citizens’ rights and