Federalist vs. AntiFederalist
What is a Federalist?
Well, a Federalist is someone who promoted the Constitution when it was being written. An antifederalist is someone who opposed the Constitution when it was being written.
Nowadays, it might seem like everyone in the 18th century supported the Constitution. But no - the anti federalists believed that the Constitution gave too much power to the central government. For them, a good government was one with a weak center and more power to the states.
Patrick Henry - He is considered by some to be the leader of the Antifederalists. He opposed the Constitution, thinking that it endangered the rights of individuals and States. In addition, he thought that the presidency might expand into a monarchy. However, he promoted the Bill of Rights. Then, in 1798, he turned around and joined John Adams and the Federalists.
Samuel Adams - He was elected to the Massachusetts ratifying convention. Though he opposed the Constitution, he hardly spoke and listened intently to the arguments. Finally, he agreed to the Constitution IF it could be amended in the future.
James Monroe - He opposed the Constitution, thinking that it gave too much power to the central government. He never changed his position on the Constitution. He was elected president when the Federalist group collapsed, and then he had relatively no opposition.
Patrick Henry
Patrick Henry opposed the Constitution, thinking it endangered state's rights and people's rights. He later supported the Federalists.
The Federalist Papers
The Federalist Papers were written by John Jay, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton. It is a collection of 85 articles and essays written to promote the ratification of the Constitution. It was written between October 1787 and August 1788. The title "the Federalist Papers" was given in the 1900s. The works were originally called "the Federalist".