Anti-Federalism

Anti-Federalism refers to a diverse group of Americans who opposed the ratification of the 1787 United States Constitution. Anti-Federalists believed a strong central government could become corrupt and tyrannical, as they believed that Great Britain had become. They wanted a weak central government like under the Articles of Confederation.

One of the many points that the Anti-Federalists disagreed with the Federalists was that the Constitution did not have a Bill of Rights. The Federalists argued the Constitution did not need a Bill of Rights but finally agreed to add several amendments to the Constitution. The House of Representatives approved 17 amendments. The Senate passed on 12 of them for ratification by the states. Of the 12, 10 were ratified by the 13 states and became known as the United States Bill of Rights. Virginia was the last to ratify the amendments on December 15, 1791.

Under the new government, many Anti-Federalists created the Democratic-Republican Party, which also wanted a weak central government.

 References 

Category:United States Bill of Rights
Category:United States Constitution
Category:18th century in the United States