Dbq Anti Federalists

The antifederalists were a coalition made up of people from many different backgrounds who opposed ratification of the Constitution. Their organization was not as good as the Federalists; however, they had a profound group of leaders who were exceptional in state politics. Anti-Federalists were an important existence in most states. In several states, supporters of the Constitution agreed to provide support from mild anti-Federalists with recommendations to secure amendments. During ratification the expectation was that the Constitution would be changed to address some of the opponents' concerns. The anti-Federalists worked within the Constitution's bounds after the ratification and they expected Federalists to do the same. Their ratification
The average citizen did not feel that they would get their fair level of representation and that the government would be out of touch with their needs. The Anti-Federalists were also worried that the original text of the Constitution did not contain a bill of rights. It was important to the people that they had a solid form of protection that covered basic liberties including freedom of speech and trial by jury. The Federalist needed the support of the Anti-Federalist and considered it a compromise by adding the bill of right if the antifederalist voted for the constitution. The bill of right was added in
The Anti-Federalist had concerns almost immediately after its release. One of the concerns was how much power would be held by Congress. There was a clause in the Constitution that allowed Congress to make laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into ongoing powers. The Anti-Federalists often argued that this would allow the national government to create any law it wished. Importantly they did not want laws that would be harmful and unrepresentative for the people. In addition, the Constitution contained a supremacy clause that recognized the national government as the final arbiter of its disputes for the state which did not seem to be a fair option for the Anti-Federalists. This clause caused the anti-Federalists to believe that states and their citizens would be at the mercy of the national