Anti Federalism Dbq Essay

Throughout the history of any great nation, there can be found the clashing of political titans; the United States is no exception. During the pivotal years following the American Revolution, the Anti-Federalist and Federalist groups emerged to lay the political groundwork for what would one day become one of the greatest democratic republics the world has ever seen. These polar-opposite factions proved to be a source of great division amongst the citizens of the newly established country, especially during the arising constitutional debate. Various influential figures from both sides molded and refined the beginnings of the Constitution in order to quell the expectations and desires of the larger population. Though the process of ratification

Initially, the United States adopted a document known as the Articles of Confederation as its governing principles. For some, the Articles failed to place enough power in the hands of the government, therefore rendering it ineffective and weak; Congress lacked any true power in compelling states and was burdened by the post-war repayment of debt (Boundless). In the wake of what some viewed as a failure, the Federalists were born. This political group pursued the creation and ratification of a new document; the Constitution. Typically, the Federalist supporters were labeled as successful farmers, merchants, and artisans (Goldfield). Under this new culmination of fundamental principles, the push for the establishment of a strong and centralized governing force was determined (Boundless). One of the most notable shifts suggested by the Constitution, supported by the Federalist group, was a limit placed on the power of the individual state as well as the placement of a Senate to provide fair representation of each state’s interests and beliefs. They argued that Senate, along with two representatives from each state, justly represented state interests (Goldfield). A large republic was seen as best protection for individual freedoms (Goldfield). When a Bill of Rights was brought to their attention by the opposing group, the Anti Federalist, it was deemed unnecessary as the Federalists felt that their Constitution was a control of the rights of government rather than the people. The Federalists supported the ratification of their country's