They were against the ratification of the Constitution because they felt that the constitution gave the national government too much power, especially over the states. Their central beliefs of government was that it should be focused on a strict interpretation of the Constitution and its necessary and proper clause. Instead of the government having implied powers given to them by the elastic clause, the antifederalists wanted the government to just stick to its already delegated powers stated in the document. In addition, since the Antifederalists wanted the states and the people to have more power over the government, they favored a small national one. They also believed that once the central government has too much power that they’ll impose on the rights of the people almost like the old monarchy. On economic issues, they felt as if the economy it should be based on farming in order to protect the interests of the many farmers in the colonies. They also strongly opposed a national bank since it allows for the wealthy to have most of the power. Furthermore, they were entirely against the concept of a national debt and wanted the states to handle their own individual debts. Without a doubt, Jefferson and the Antifederalists certainly didn’t want the government to tax the states, especially high taxes and wanted to leave the issue of taxing to be intrastate. Lastly, on the subject of the Bill of Rights, the Antifederalists wholeheartedly wanted one included in the Constitution. This would ease their fears of the government potentially taking advantage of the people and would allow the people to maintain their own natural
They were against the ratification of the Constitution because they felt that the constitution gave the national government too much power, especially over the states. Their central beliefs of government was that it should be focused on a strict interpretation of the Constitution and its necessary and proper clause. Instead of the government having implied powers given to them by the elastic clause, the antifederalists wanted the government to just stick to its already delegated powers stated in the document. In addition, since the Antifederalists wanted the states and the people to have more power over the government, they favored a small national one. They also believed that once the central government has too much power that they’ll impose on the rights of the people almost like the old monarchy. On economic issues, they felt as if the economy it should be based on farming in order to protect the interests of the many farmers in the colonies. They also strongly opposed a national bank since it allows for the wealthy to have most of the power. Furthermore, they were entirely against the concept of a national debt and wanted the states to handle their own individual debts. Without a doubt, Jefferson and the Antifederalists certainly didn’t want the government to tax the states, especially high taxes and wanted to leave the issue of taxing to be intrastate. Lastly, on the subject of the Bill of Rights, the Antifederalists wholeheartedly wanted one included in the Constitution. This would ease their fears of the government potentially taking advantage of the people and would allow the people to maintain their own natural