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The '''Anti-Federalists''' were opponents of the ratification of the [[U.S. Constitution]] in 1788. The Anti-Federalists were local leaders and never formed alliances across state lines; they never formed an actual party.  By contrast the '''Federalists''' of 1787-88, led by [[George Washington]], [[Alexander Hamilton]] and [[James Madison]], were nationally oriented and cooperated across state lines. This cooperation enabled the Federalists to secure ratification in all 13 states.  They were defeated in each state by the Federalists and the Constitution was ratified by all 13 states, going into effect in 1789 with [[George Washington]] as the first president.  

The '''Anti-Federalists''' were opponents of the ratification of the [[U.S. Constitution]] in 1788. The Anti-Federalists were local leaders and never formed alliances across state lines; they never formed an actual party.  By contrast the '''Federalists''' of 1787-88, led by [[George Washington]], [[Alexander Hamilton]] and [[James Madison]], were nationally oriented and cooperated across state lines. This cooperation enabled the Federalists to secure ratification in all 13 states.  They were defeated in each state by the Federalists and the Constitution was ratified by all 13 states, going into effect in 1789 with [[George Washington]] as the first president.  

The Anti-Federalists were local leaders and never formed alliances across state lines; they never formed an actual party. By contrast the Federalists were nationally oriented and cooperated across state lines. This cooperation enabled the federalists to secure ratification in all 13 states.  Prominent Anti-Federalists included [[Patrick Henry]] and [[George Mason]] in Virginia and [[George Clinton]] in New York. [[Thomas Jefferson]], then the minister to France, was dubious about the new document but did not publicly oppose it.  

The Anti-Federalists were local leaders and never formed alliances across state lines; they never formed an actual party. By contrast the Federalists were nationally oriented and cooperated across state lines. This cooperation enabled the federalists to secure ratification in all 13 states.  Prominent Anti-Federalists included [[Patrick Henry]] and [[George Mason]] in Virginia and [[George Clinton]] in New York. [[Thomas Jefferson]], then the minister to France, was dubious about the new document but did not publicly oppose it.  

The Anti-Federalists argued that the Constitution would create a new federal government that was more powerful than the state governments.  They instead wanted powerful state governments. In response to those who supported the Constitution by claiming that it limited federal power, the Anti-Federalists cited two gaping holes in the limitation on federal power: the [[Necessary and Proper Clause]] and the [[Supreme Court]].  Congress could interfere with the rights of states and the people using the former, and the Supreme Court could construe federal power very broadly.  History proved the Anti-Federalists right in some respects.

The Anti-Federalists argued that the Constitution would create a new federal government that was more powerful than the state governments.  They instead wanted powerful state governments. In response to those who supported the Constitution by claiming that it limited federal power, the Anti-Federalists cited two gaping holes in the limitation on federal power: the [[Necessary and Proper Clause]] and the [[Supreme Court]].  Congress could interfere with the rights of states and the people using the former, and the Supreme Court could construe federal power very broadly.  History proved the Anti-Federalists right in some respects.

Concerned that the Constitution contained no guarantee of individual liberties, the Anti-Federalists pressed for the document to be amended.  Their insistence led to the creation of the [[Bill of Rights]] by [[James Madison]] in 1791. <ref>http://www.cas.unt.edu/~jryan/AntiFeds.html</ref>

Concerned that the Constitution contained no guarantee of individual liberties, the Anti-Federalists pressed for the document to be amended.  Their insistence led to the creation of the [[Bill of Rights]] by [[James Madison]] in 1791. <ref>http://www.cas.unt.edu/~jryan/AntiFeds.html</ref>

Just as supporters of ratification of the U.S. Constitution wrote under pseudonyms, Anti-Federalists did also.  Names used included [[Brutus]] and [[Federal Farmer]].  After ratification in 1788 the Anti-Federalists kept quiet and they all supported the new government. By 1795 most were supporting the [[Democratic-Republican Party]] (or "Republicans") that Jefferson organized in the mid-1790s. However, some, including Patrick Henry, joined the [[Federalist Party]], which [[Alexander Hamilton]] formed in the early 1790s. Madison, a leader of the Federalists in 1787-88, became a leader of the Republicans.<ref>Note that the "Federalists" of 1787-88 refers to supporters of the new Constitution; and the "Federalists" of the 1790s refers to members of a new party that was created after 1792. Many of the same people were involved, but the two meanings of "Federalist" are often confused.</ref>

Just as supporters of ratification of the U.S. Constitution wrote under pseudonyms, Anti-Federalists did also.  Names used included [[Brutus]] and [[Federal Farmer]].  After ratification in 1788 the Anti-Federalists kept quiet and they all supported the new government. By 1795 most were supporting Jefferson's [[Republicans (Jeffersonian) | Republicans]] organized in the mid-1790s. However, some, including Patrick Henry, joined the [[Federalist Party]], which [[Alexander Hamilton]] formed in the early 1790s. Madison, a leader of the Federalists in 1787-88, became a leader of the Republicans.<ref>Note that the "Federalists" of 1787-88 refers to supporters of the new Constitution; and the "Federalists" of the 1790s refers to members of a new party that was created after 1792. Many of the same people were involved, but the two meanings of "Federalist" are often confused.</ref>

 

==Further reading==

==Further reading==

* Ferling, John. ''A Leap in the Dark: The Struggle to Create the American Republic'' (2003) [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=103184276 online edition]   

* Ferling, John. ''A Leap in the Dark: The Struggle to Create the American Republic'' (2003) [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=103184276 online edition]