Question

How did the anti-federalists feel about a strong central government?

Answer 1

Hint: Some of the important anti-federalist leaders were Patrick Henry, Melancton Smith, George Mason and James Winthrop. Whereas Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, John Adams and many others were the federalist leaders.

Complete answer: The ratification of the 1787 US Constitution was opposed by the anti-federalists. This was because they thought that individual liberties would be threatened as the new national government would be too powerful.

Anti-federalists opposed a strong central government. They preferred a weak central government because they thought that a strong central government would be similar to the British tyranny experienced by the people for all these years. They felt that the wealthy would dominate the government and that too much power was being given by the states to the new federal government.

A Bill of Rights was also demanded by the anti-federalists however the federalists thought that the constitution was sufficient and there was no need for a bill of rights. The anti-federalists argued that to safeguard individual liberty it was necessary to have a bill of rights.

If we want to differentiate between federalists and anti-federalists then it can be said that federalists were those who supported the constitution and a stronger national republic. Anti-federalists were those who were against the ratification of the constitution and supported the concept of a small localized government.

Note:In the late 18th century a movement happened in the United States of America which opposed the creation of a stronger US federal government. This movement was called Anti-Federalism. Patrick Henry of Virginia led this movement.