Changes

[[File:Articles-of-confederation.jpg|right|230px|thumb|The Anti-Federalists argued in favor of reforming the [[Articles of Confederation]]]]

[[File:Articles-of-confederation.jpg|right|230px|thumb|The Anti-Federalists argued in favor of reforming the [[Articles of Confederation]]]]

The '''Anti-Federalists''' were opponents of the ratification of the [[U.S. Constitution]] in 1788, who authored a series of works known as the [[Anti-Federalist Papers]]. 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, who authored a series of works known as the [[Anti-Federalist Papers]]. 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.  

==Major points==

==Major points==

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 Jefferson's party, the [[Republicans (Jeffersonian)|Republicans]], organized in 1792. 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 party, the [[Republicans (Jeffersonian)|Republicans]], organized in 1792. 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==