Federalists and Anti-Federalists

In what ways did the Constitution seek to erect barriers against “mobocracy?”

“Mobocracy”- the rule/domination by the masses• federal judges were appointed for life• the president was to be indirectly elected by

the Electoral College• senators were to be chosen indirectly by state

legislatures

What democratic elements existed in the Constitution?

• It was based on two main principles of republicanism- – government was based on the consent of the

governed– Limited government

Ratification• Ratification- approval• Ratify- to approve

• Ratification of the Constitution required the approval of 9 states

• Special ratifying conventions (meetings) were held in each state

• Federalists supported ratification• Anti-Federalists opposed it

The Great Debate in the States

• Special elections held for members of ratifying conventions – Candidates—federalist or antifederalist—were

elected based on whether they were for or were against Constitution• Four small states quickly accepted Constitution• Pennsylvania was first large state to ratify• Massachusetts presented challenges, including

demand for bill of rights

Federalists• Wanted a strong federal government (thus the

Constitution)• Generally lived along the seaboard• Generally wealthier, more educated, and

better organized than the Anti-Federalists.• Led by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton

and John Jay– Wrote The Federalist Papers

In Federalist No.10 and Federalist No. 51, Madison argued that a strong national government and the Constitution’s system of checks and balances would strengthen liberty.

In Federalist No. 78, Hamilton wrote of the importance of a judicial branch to protect liberty.

A copy of The Federalistsigned by George Washington

Anti-Federalists

• Sam Adams, Patrick Henry, John Hancock, Richard Henry Lee

• Generally states’ rights proponents, backcountry people, small farmers

• Generally the poorest classes• Feared that a strong federal government

would take away their liberties• Believed a bill of rights was necessary

Federalists Anti-Federalists• Competing interests in a

large republic would ensure that no one group would be able to ignore the rights of everyone else.

• A strong gov’t is needed for protection from foreign nations

• A strong gov’t is needed to pay the nation’s debts and provide a stable currency

• Republican gov’t works better in smaller areas

• Government should be close to the people

• Citizens rights should be listed

• Vague wording might lead to an abuse of power

Why do the Federalists win?

• They had a very effective and well-organized campaign

• George Washington and Ben Franklin (most respected men in America) supported the Constitution

• The Federalist Papers were very persuasive• The promise to add a bill of rights swayed

some Anti-Federalists

Map 9-4 p174

• June 1788 the Constitution was officially adopted

Table 9-3 p175

The last two states, Rhode Island and North Carolina, now reconsidered earlier rejections and ratified as well, bringing the total to 13 states.

Congress convened in New York’s Federal Hall on March 4, 1789 to:

• Elect a first president (George Washington) and vice president (John Adams).

• Add a Bill of Rights.

• He used Virginia’s Bill of Rights as a model.

• Madison avoided any statements about equality that might offend the slave states.

• Ten amendments guaranteed individual freedoms.

• To prevent future abuse or limitations on freedom, any unmentioned rights were retained by the people.

James Madison was assignedto create a Bill of Rights.

The Bill of Rights

The Bill of Rights