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The Anti-Federalists
were led by
Patrick Henry and
Samuel Adams
Show me that age and
country where the rights
and liberties of the people
were placed on the sole
chance of their rulers being
good men, without a
consequent loss of liberty?
Patrick Henry, speech in
opposition to the
Constitution, 1788
Those who supported
the new Constitution
and a stronger
national govt were
called the Federalists
Federalist leaders
James Madison,
Alexander Hamilton,
and John Jay wrote a
series of essays called
the Federalist Papers
to counter the
arguments of the
Anti-Federalists
Nothing is more certain
than the indispensable
necessity of government
People must cede some of
their natural rights in order to
vest it with requisite powers.
(Federalist #2)
the smaller the number
of individuals composing a
[If the] federal govt majority, the more easily will
is entrusted with the they execute their plans of
care of the common oppression. Extend the sphere,
defensethat govt and you take in a greater variety
ought to be clothed of parties and interests; you
with all the powers make it less probable that a
requisite to complete majority of the whole will invade
execution of its trust. the rights of other citizens.
(Federalist #23) (Federalist #10)
Some states ratified the Constitution quickly, but
states with large majorities of Anti-Federalists
refused without a Bill of Rights to protect their liberty