Federalists and Anti-federalists
Arguing since 1788
Federalism
Federalism is a division of power between the state and the Federal government.
Anti-Federalists
Anti-federalists do not agree with the Federal government. They feel that the state government should have more power than the federal government because when the British ruled they had a strong Federal government and they were afraid that the Federal government would go crazy with power. The Anti-federalists wanted to keep the Articles of Confederation because the Articles gave the states more power. They also demanded a Bill of Rights to be added on the constitution. The weak articles caused the states to use their own currency. They felt the absence of a Bill of Rights was a threat to citizens individual rights.
Federalists
Federalists supported a stronger Federal government and weaker state government; supported the ratification of the Constitution. They didn't think a Bill of Rights was necessary as it weaken the Federal government. A strong central government could represent the nation to the countries. Federalists also believed that a strong central government could protect individual citizens’ rights. Federalists were not scared of the central government created by the Constitution because it had three branches the executive, legislative, and judicial that could limit the power. They made sure the central government didn't have too much power.