Compare And Contrast The Conflict Between Federalist And Anti-Federalists

Following the American Revolution, the United States faced a crippling economic depression through which the newly founded nation was highly susceptible to rebellion. The conflict between Federalists and Anti-Federalists came about as a result of the ratification of the Constitution in 1788, which replaced the controversial Articles of Confederation. This document called for more power to remain in the hands of the central government with no Bill of Rights, an increased emphasis on Congressional power, and the ability to maintain a standing army at all times. For many, the Constitution contradicted the morals through which the nation was founded, and the fundamental tension between these two parties led to the eventual creation of the Bill

They showed little faith in citizens to make political decisions, thinkers like Hamilton doubted the sanctity of human nature. Most Federalists shared Hamilton’s view that people were “basically selfish and out for themselves. For this reason, they distrusted any system of government that gave too much power to ‘the mob,’ or the common people” (Mr.kash.org). Instances like Shay’s Rebellion evoked fear from the Federalist elites that revolution would occur, so a strong Republic was necessary to ensure that never happened again. John Jay in Federalist 2 stated that "Nothing is more certain than the indispensable necessity of government, and it is equally undeniable, that whenever and however it is instituted, the people must cede to it some of their natural rights in order to vest it with requisite powers” (Jay, Federalist 2). In the eyes of Anti-Federalists, the Federalists wanted a strong central government so that they could bypass the law and make the decisions they felt were most necessary despite popular

The requirement for diffusion of influence between the three branches of government is demonstrated in Federalist 26 claiming that "Congress, or our future lords and masters, are to have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises. Excise is a new thing in America, and few country farmers and planters know the meaning of it” (Anti-Federalist 26). The Anti-Federalist intend to counter any potential for corruption with their premise, and represent the common man of the land who is not adequately represented in society. The Virginia State Constitution became a model for individual liberties in the years following the ratification of the Constitution, and Anti-Federalists fought to implement them into national legislature. They feared that a government that was too powerful would become a dictatorship and tyrannize its citizens, so in response their efforts against led to the implementation of the Bill of Rights to the Constitution in December of 1791. This document includes fundamental guaranteed rights and freedoms to speech, religion, press, as well as the right to bear arms and protect oneself from the government. The implementation of this was groundbreaking in that had the Bill of Rights not been established, the Federalists