Anti-Federalism was a late-18th century movement that opposed the creation of a stronger U.S. federal government and which later opposed the ratification of the 1787 Constitution. noun US history a person who opposed the ratification of the Constitution in 1789 and thereafter allied with Thomas Jefferson's Antifederal Party, which opposed extension of the powers of the … Federalist definition is - an advocate of federalism: such as. With the heightened sense of political affiliations of the American Revolution, additional monikers entered into the American lexicon such as Loyalist and Patriot. Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way. ", "Sam Adams – Father of the American Revolution", "Letter to John Lamb from Joshua Atherton. [6] When Jefferson took office as the third president in 1801, he replaced Federalist appointees with Democratic-Republicans and sought to focus on issues that allowed the states to make more of their own decisions in matters. Anti-Federalist was the population of people who strongly oppose the concept of Federal Government. Destroying the Electoral College: The Anti-Federalist National Popular Vote Scheme. Why New York's First Governor, George Clinton, Totally Rocks", A New Nation Votes: American Election Returns, 1787–1825, Parental Rights Amendment to the United States Constitution, Proposed "Liberty" Amendment to the United States Constitution, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Anti-Federalism&oldid=999803376, Wikipedia articles incorporating a citation from the 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica with Wikisource reference, Wikipedia articles incorporating text from the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from January 2021, Articles with unsourced statements from March 2019, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, published 1913 by G. & C. Merriam Co. Want to thank TFD for its existence? The term implied, correctly or not, both opposition to Congress and unpatriotic motives. They argued that the strong national government proposed by the Federalists was a threat to the rights of individuals and that the president would become a king. Anti federalist Opposed to a strong central government; saw undemocratic tendencies in the Constitution and insisted on the inclusion of the Bill of Rights. Included Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, and Patrick Henry. Anti-federalist definition is - a person who opposed the adoption of the U.S. Constitution. Anti-federalist (noun) one of party opposed to a federative government; -- applied particularly to the party which opposed the adoption of the constitution of … In making their arguments, the Anti-Federalists often relied on the rhetoric of the Revolutionary War era, which stressed the virtues of local rule and associated centralized power with a tyrannical monarch. With the passage of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, the Anti-Federalist movement was exhausted. Anti-Federalist writers began to publish essays and letters arguing against ratification, and Alexander Hamilton recruited James Madison and John Jay to write a series of pro-ratification letters in response. In both their correspondence and their local groups, they tried to capture the term. (reference to West's anti-Constitution, Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, "Thomas Jefferson and the Anti-Federalists", "What Were Some Examples of Thomas Jefferson's Anti-Federalist Views? February 19, ... from the definition of what constitutes a vote to how recounts are triggered and conducted. They believed the Constitution did too little with the courts and would create an out-of-control judiciary. They advocated that the central government of the nation should be equal or inferior to its sub-national states. Patrick Henry was an outspoken anti-Federalist. It will help in our understanding of who the Antifederalists were to know that in 1787, the word "federal" … The Anti-Federalists generally preferred a government as formed in 1781 by the Articles of Confederation, which had granted the … Led by Patrick Henry of Virginia, Anti-Federalists worried, among other things, that the position of president, then a novelty, might evolve into a monarchy. anti-federalist (plural anti-federalists) One who opposes federalism. [5], The Anti-Federalists played upon these feelings in the ratification convention in Massachusetts. ə l.ist / (also mainly US anti-federal) opposed to a federalist system of government (= one in which power is divided between a central government and several local ones): The Foreign Secretary assured anti-federalist MPs that he would not agree to anything that limited British sovereignty. Anti-Federalist Vs Federalist: the Articles of Confederation In 1777, the Articles of Confederation was established by the 13 colonies as the first written constitution of the United States. During the period of debate over the ratification of the Constitution, numerous independent local speeches and articles were published all across the country. The Anti-Federalists thus became recognized as an influential group among the Founding Fathers of the United States. Federalist-Anti-Federalist Timeline By State Biographies Learn about the key figures in the Federalist and Antifederalist debate over the proposed Constitution. "[2], As the Federalists moved to amend the Articles, eventually leading to the Constitutional Convention, they applied the term anti-federalist to their opposition. Anti-Federalists, a loose political coalition of popular politicians, such as Patrick Henry, who, fearing the authority of a single national government, unsuccessfully opposed the strong central government envisioned in the U.S. Constitution of 1787 and whose agitations led to the addition of a Bill of Rights. What made you want to look up anti-federalist? They believed the Constitution needed a Bill of Rights. The name, Antifederalists, captures both an attachment to certain political principles as well as standing in favor and against trends that were appearing in late 18th century America. “Anti-Federalist” describes the philosophical and political position of individuals who, during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and the subsequent state ratification debates (1787–89), generally opposed the constitution proposed to replace the Articles of Confederation. Learn more. 2 capitalized: a member of a major political party in the early years of the U.S. favoring a strong centralized national government Still others believed that while the national government under the Articles was too weak, the national government under the Constitution would be too strong. They believed the Constitution would abrogate, at least in part, the power of the states. The Anti-Federalists included small farmers and landowners, shopkeepers, and laborers. The principal arguments in favor of it were stated in the series written by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay called the Federalist Papers, although they were… He also repealed the whiskey excise and other federal taxes, shut down some federal offices and broadly sought to change the fiscal system that Hamilton had created. Good laws, shared mores, and a salutary public education are thus Anti-Federalist priorities. Anti-Federalists feared the authority of a single national government. They believed that the national government would be too far away from the people and thus unresponsive to the needs of localities. Some of the opposition believed that the central government under the Articles of Confederation was sufficient. Anti-Federalism was a late-18th century movement that opposed the creation of a stronger U.S. federal government and which later opposed the ratification of the 1787 Constitution. Between federalists and anti-federalists, we can see differences in their views and opinions of a federal government.It was in July 1783 that America broke away from the rule of Great Britain but the big question that confronted people was, to develop a new system of governance to protect the rights of the people and also to … Individualism was the strongest element of opposition; the necessity, or at least the desirability, of a bill of rights was almost universally felt. The Anti-Federalist Papers During the period from the drafting and proposal of the federal Constitution in September, 1787, to its ratification in 1789 there was an intense debate on ratification. The thought was that this concentrated power would allow for standardized fiscal and moneta… They had concerns about the new constitution that was adopted in 1787. Antifederalist definition: a person who opposed the ratification of the Constitution in 1789 and thereafter allied... | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples The debt and remaining tensions—perhaps best summarized by a conflict in Massachusetts known as Shays' Rebellion—led some founding political members in the U.S. to desire for more concentrated federal power. Thus, while the Anti-Federalists were unsuccessful in their quest to prevent the adoption of the Constitution, their efforts were not totally in vain. Anti-Federalists Oppose Slavery Provisions in Constitution. Avarice and Ambition in America: The Founders' Debate on the Political Place of the Selfish Passions in the Constitutional Order of the United States Initially, many of the articles in opposition were written under pseudonyms, such as "Brutus" (likely Melancton Smith),[4] "Centinel" (likely Samuel Bryan), and "Federal Farmer." This page was last edited on 12 January 2021, at 01:31. The essays are considered a classic defense of the American system of government, as well as a classic practical application of political principles. Led by Patrick Henry of Virginia, Anti-Federalists worried, among other things, that the position of president, then a novelty, might evolve into a monarchy. During the American Revolution and its immediate aftermath the term "federal" was applied to any person who supported the colonial union and the government formed under the Articles of Confederation. Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible). Part of the John Lamb papers", "Lesson 1: Anti-federalist Arguments Against "A Complete Consolidation, The National Endowment for the Humanities, "The Founders Who Opposed the Constitution: The Anti-Federalists gave us the Bill of Rights. / ˌæn.t̬iˈfed.ɚ. The Anti-Federalists were composed of diverse elements, including those opposed to the Constitution because they thought that a stronger government threatened the sovereignty and prestige of the states, localities, or individuals; those that saw in the proposed government a new centralized, disguised "monarchic" power that would only replace the cast-off despotism of Great Britain;[3] and those who simply feared that the new government threatened their personal liberties. “Anti-federalist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anti-federalist. As a result, once the Constitution became operative in 1789, Congress sent a set of twelve amendments to the states. The American Revolution was a costly war and left the colonies in an economic depression. 'Nip it in the butt' or 'Nip it in the bud'. The Anti-Federalists were a group of politicians in early U.S. history. However the Federalists carried the day and the name Anti-Federalist forever stuck.[2]. (The Federalists contended that a conditional ratification would be void, so the recommendation was the strongest support that the ratifying convention could give to a bill of rights short of rejecting the Constitution.). The Anti-Federalists were a group of Americans who objected to the creation of a stronger U.S. federal government and opposed final ratification of the U.S. Constitution as approved by the Constitutional Convention in 1787. The Anti-Federalists rejected the term, arguing that they were the true Federalists. In many states the opposition to the Constitution was strong (although Delaware, Georgia, and New Jersey ratified quickly with little controversy), and in two states—North Carolina and Rhode Island—it prevented ratification until the definite establishment of the new government practically forced their adherence. Ten of these amendments were immediately ratified and became known as the Bill of Rights, with one of the other two becoming the 27th Amendment—almost 200 years later. A daily challenge for crossword fanatics. Topics: Federalism, Federalist VS Anti-Federalist. Anti-Federalists is a term used to describe the opponents of ratification or adoption of the U.S. Constitution in 1787. By this point, five of the states had ratified the Constitution with relative ease, but the Massachusetts convention was far more disputed and contentious. [3] In Rhode Island, resistance against the Constitution was so strong that civil war almost broke out on July 4, 1788, when anti-federalist members of the Country Party led by Judge William West marched into Providence with over 1,000 armed protesters. One of party opposed to a federative government; - applied particularly to the party which opposed the adoption of the constitution of the United States. According to Anti-Federalist power should not only be in the hands of the Capital of the state, rather than it should be equally divided among all states … anti-federalist definition: 1. opposed to a federalist system of government (= one in which power is divided between a central…. Translations . Slavery was one of the most divisive issues in the debates over whether or not to ratify the Constitution. Federalists vs Anti-Federalists . 10 first appeared in popular newspapers. Eventually, famous revolutionary figures such as Patrick Henry came out publicly against the Constitution. Differences between Federalists and Antifederalists | The differences between the Federalists and the Antifederalists are vast and at times complex. Massachusetts would ratify the Constitution with recommended provisions in the ratifying instrument that the Constitution be amended with a bill of rights. They objected to the federal court system created by the proposed constitution. During the colonial and revolutionary periods, Americans were accustomed to using labels like Tory and Whig when describing a person’s political persuasion. Who were the Antifederalists and what did they stand for? Delivered to your inbox! The Constitution says federal laws are "the supreme law of the land", so the federal government could just take complete control. After the war the group who felt that the national government under the Articles was too weak appropriated the name Federalist for themselves. They were united by … They believed the Constitution created a presidency so powerful that it would become a monarchy. According to the US history, after the American Revolution, the people who supported the federalism were referred as Federalist, whereas the people who were against it and oppose the cause were termed as Anti-Federalist. Post the Definition of anti-federalist to Facebook, Share the Definition of anti-federalist on Twitter. After a long debate, a compromise (known as the "Massachusetts compromise") was reached. Anti-Federalist The Constitution contains no Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties like freedom of speech, trial by jury, and the right against searches and seizures. Why the name Antifederalist? [7], Movement that opposed the creation of a strong U.S. federal government and later the ratification of the Constitution, For the faction opposed to the policies of U.S. President George Washington, see, Columbian Centinel, July 5, 12, 16, 23, 1788; Pennsylvania Packet, July 30, 1788. After the war, the group that felt the national government under the Articles was too weak appropriated the name Federalist for themselves. Though the Constitution was ratified and supplanted the Articles of Confederation, Anti-Federalist influence helped lead to the passage of the United States Bill of Rights. Like most of the Federalist essays and the vast majority of The Federalist Papers, No. Four of the next five states to ratify, including New Hampshire, Virginia, and New York, included similar language in their ratification instruments. Judge Andrew Oldham says they can also give us insight on the modern administrative state", "Best Clinton Ever? Though … The previous constitution, called the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, gave state governments more authority. Learn more about the history and characteristics of federalism in this article. Federalism, mode of political organization that unites separate states or other polities within an overarching political system in a way that allows each to maintain its own integrity. Federalists’ beliefs could be better described as nationalist. Additional terms included were monarchist, aristocrat, … 'All Intensive Purposes' or 'All Intents and Purposes'? They believed it gave too much power to the central, or federal, government. This produced a phenomenal body of political writing; the best and most influential of these articles and speeches were gathered by historians into a collection known as the Anti-Federalist Papers in allusion to the Federalist Papers. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free! Learn a new word every day. For example, an unknown anti-federalist signed his public correspondence as "A Federal Farmer" and the New York committee opposing the Constitution was called the "Federal Republican Committee." During the American Revolution and its immediate aftermath, the term federal was applied to any person who supported the colonial union and the government formed under the Articles of Confederation. Some activists joined the Anti-Administration Party that James Madison and Thomas Jefferson were forming about 1790–91 to oppose the policies of Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton; this group soon became the Democratic-Republican Party. Another complaint of the Anti-Federalists was that the Constitution provided for a centralized rather than federal government (and in The Federalist Papers, James Madison admits that the new Constitution has the characteristics of both a centralized and federal form of the government) and that a truly federal form of government was a leaguing of states as under the Articles of Confederation.
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