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Conflict between federalists and anti federalists
How the constitution was formed
Concerns between the federalists and antifederalists
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“The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.” stated by Thomas Jefferson. The 13 colonies created the Article of Confederation to establish a national government during the revolutionary war. Several year later, the delegates revised the convention and created a new document know as the U.S. Constitution in 1787. However, it resulted in two major political parties, Federal and Anti-federal, on debating over the nature of the government. Federalists like Alexander Hamilton believed in a strong central government while Anti-federalists like Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, believed the Constitution had too much power on the national government and should focus more …show more content…
on the rights of the state and the people at that time period. Debates about the nature of the Constitution had not yet resolved and have continued the present day. Claim: Based on all the Anti-federalists’ contributions, I definitely agree on they saying that the Anti-federal party had a more profound effect on the formation of the United State government. Anti-federalists were mistrusted the government and national government especially, they feared that a strong national government would exploit the common people’s rights and should have a stronger state government instead. Evidence #1:Base on what Americans had been gone through with the British and gained their independence in 1776, display a big role that majority of the Americans would like to live under a democratic and justified government. Supporting evidence: Between 1763 and 1765, Britain passed a series of acts to help pay off the debts from the French and Indian war, most of the American opposed immediately and were furious about the idea that they had no representation in the congress which developed the tax policy. Analysis: Therefore, the Americans fought for death to gain their independence, which conveys that what majority of people wanted freedom and liberty. It also brings a good example that the government would not success without the population’s support. Transition sentence: In this case, the Anti-Federalists did a good job working out a democratic government according to the article “What was the Anti-Federalists’ position in the debate over ratification?” Evidence #2: Anti-federalists were older Americans who believed in the basic ideas of republicanism that the legislature composed of representatives should have the greatest power and should be elected by the people of community,also known as common people. Supporting evidence: They always believed that a successful government should link with the will of the people and controlled/elected by the people, instead of controlling by educated and wealthy elite. Since educated and wealthy elite had a totally different perspective than the common people and would most likely to create national government for the purpose of serving their own selfish desires. The flaws from the U.S.
Constitution pointed out by the Anti-federalists made people reconsider about the possibility that it would inevitably be a threat to rights of the people. Transition sentence: The Anti-federalists’ objections were totally relevant and worth to consider, which led to the formation of bills of rights. By June of 1788, bills of rights was completed in order to satisfy and compromise with the Anti-federalists and was then later ratified by 1791. Supporting evidence:. Elbridge Gerry wrote the most popular Anti-Federalist tract, “"Hon. Mr. Gerry's Objections” which particularly conveys out the lack of a bill of rights in the constitution. They would do whatever they can in order to protect people’s rights including to call for a second constitutional convention. Analysis: "Half a loaf is better than no bread. If we cannot secure all our rights, let us secure what we can." stated by Thomas Jefferson. Both federalists and anti-federalists agreed on the concepts of the Bills of Rights that it at least protect people’s rights and made a compromise that the rights would never be violated by a federal …show more content…
government. Transition sentence: The form of government ruled under Anti-federalists people also influence and benefits people. Concluding sentence: Anti-federalists got experiences from history and learned that a democratic government is essential for the formation of government. Nevertheless, their objections they had on the constitution resulted in the addition of Bills of Rights which proved to be virtually important to the protection of the basic right of the American people. 2nd body paragraph: In 1801, Thomas Jefferson elected as the 3rd president in the United State, who is a Anti-federalist. His presidency changed the pattern of the government from majority federalists to anti-federalists, including their ideas about being a democratic-republican. Evidence #1:Under Jefferson’s presidency, he simplified the government which benefits the U.S. citizens and gain more support from the common people on the idea of a strong state government. Supporting evidence: Jefferson cut costs as possible and eliminated all the internal taxes and reducing the influence of the Bank of United state .He declared that taxes should mainly be collected from the business and large landowner classes. He also expanded the power of navy and reduced the size of army. Additionally, he also favored free trade. Analysis: By simplifying the presidency, it helped to balance off the economy because the products Americans were producing were shortly supplied in Europe. Besides, favoring a free trade rather than the government controlled the trade and tariffs could able to give people’s freedom. Nonetheless, reducing taxes also made citizens from lower class, like farmers and planters, had a better life. Transition sentence: Since Jefferson is a democratic-republican, he believe in the balance of power and helped out everyone, including the lower class. Evidence #2: Jefferson was sensitive with people’s needs, which took for granted that an agricultural economy was the best with most people owning small farms. Supporting evidence: Jefferson walked to his inauguration instead of riding in a carriage. He kept in touch with people that he wore work clothes and grayed slippers when receiving visitors. Even though he is the president of the United State, he didn’t feel privilege about it that sometime he didn’t even wear wig. Analysis: Majority of the people experienced his kindness, especially the lower class citizens. As a result, more and more people support him and had a peaceful time under his presidency. Transition sentence: Contrast to Federalists, Anti-federalists made people suffered less and had a better government system which gained a lot of people’s integrities. Evidence #3: During the George Washington's presidency, Alexander Hamilton, a federalist, was elected as a secretary of the treasury while Thomas Jefferson,was elected as a secretary of the state. At that time, Hamilton proposed a bold economic plan, which led to a rebellion known as the Whiskey Rebellion. Supporting evidence: The economic plan’s goal was to raise revenue to retire debts,which two tax acts--the protect tariff and excise tax. Basically, the tax acts were import taxes on goods produced in Europe and even on the product’s manufacture. Majority of the frontier farmers were whiskey producers, whose main income was from whiskey too. Therefore, farmers in Western Pennsylvania refused to pay for the tax, which ended up having a rebellion. Analysis: At first, the Congress passed the act, protect tariff, which had increased the revenue already. However, Hamilton wanted more in which he added another act of taxation that caused a lot of complaints. Jefferson objected to Hamilton’s economic program i the first place, but Hamilton still resisted on proposing it. At this time, it clearly indicated that the federalists ignored people’s voice in order to reach their own desires, which totally made anti-federalists stood out that they cared about everyone, including the lower class. Transition sentence: The anti-federalists didn’t only try to protect people’s basic right, they also helped expanded the U.S.
land at least a double. 3rd body paragraph: Jefferson continued to expand the territory under his presidency. The Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark Expedition in the early 1800s restates America’s status and expanded at least twice amount of lands. Evidence #1: The Louisiana Purchase was the acquisition of the Louisiana territory by United States from France in 1803. It is because Napoleon Bonaparte of France wanted to return to the Louisiana Territory in 1800 and Jefferson feared that the strong presence of French would force United State to ally with Britain. Supporting evidence: Therefore, Jefferson wanted to resolve this problem by sending James Monroeby to buy the New Orleans and western Florida from the French. By all of the sudden, Napoleon had decided to sell the entire Louisiana Territory to the United States in April
1803. Analysis:With purchasing the Louisiana Purchase which included all the land drained by the western tributaries of the Mississippi River, the size of the United States more than doubled. Transition sentence: Jefferson didn’t only expand the land twice, but also continued expanding the land all the way to the West. Evidence #2: The Lewis and Clark was an expansion from St. Louis to the Pacific coast from 1804 to 1806. It was also known as the Corps of Discovery Expedition, which was the first expansion to the West in United State. Nevertheless,The number of immigrants across the Appalachians increased. For instance, the population of Ohio grew from 45,000 to 231,000. Supporting evidence: In 1775, Daniel Boone, one of America’s great frontier guides, cleared a route to from Virginia through the Cumberland Gap, into the heart of Kentucky. With the route, the Wilderness Road became one of the major routes for westward migration. Additionally, he also collected scientific information about unknown plants and animals along the expansion. The Lewis and Clark expedition recorded invaluable information about the western territories by taking two years and four months. Transition sentence: United States also victories battle against the Native American and the Britain under Jefferson’s presidency.
Both groups came to agreement and agreed that there needed to be a stronger authority requiring an independent salary to function. They both also agreed that they needed to raise safeguards against the tyranny. The anti-Federalists would not agree to the new Constitution without the “Bill of Rights.” The Federalists ended up including the Bill of Rights into the Constitution. The Bill of Rights protects the freedoms of people. It reassured the anti-Federalists the government could not abuse their power by taking it out on the people. The Federalists included the Bill of Rights to get the anti-Federalists votes and support in the Constitution to actually get it
The Federalists and Anti-federalists shared the common beliefs of John Locke’s Enlightenment ideals such as all men were born equal (even though most of these men owned slaves), but their opinions about the role of government were different. Both parties had their own visions of how a new government would function and how the Constitution would support the government being proposed. Many argued that the Articles of Confederation had created a very weak government with very limited power. Specifically, the amount of power or the absence of power of a central government was the main disagreement between the Federalists and Anti-federalists. As a result, the Federalists and Anti-federalists argued about the ratification of a new constitution, which would give the central government more power.
The United States acquired the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803, thereby gaining control of the Mississippi River, and its watershed at the golf of Mexico. The U.S. government realized how important this was and its potential of becoming a great trading post. By 1812 this area called New Orleans grew as expected in size and importance. In peace it was a commercial outlet and trading center of the western United States.
This transaction would come to be known as the Louisiana Purchase and nearly doubled the size of the new nation. While George Washington and John Adams made efforts at westward expansion, Thomas Jefferson secured the Louisiana Purchase and initiated the Lewis and Clark expedition. According to Wulf, “maybe Lewis would find the huge mastodon roaming across the plains; discover profitable crops, flowers in exotic shapes and sizes, and trees that would soar even higher than those already encountered. Jefferson planned this expedition in the name of science, but it would also be the beginning of a distinctly American glorification of the wilderness” (Wulf, 157). The Lewis and Clark expedition and the Louisiana Purchase had such a significant impact on America’s identity.
Our powerpoint states that the Federalists were led by Alexander Hamilton and James Madison. The Anti-Federalists on the other hand, did not agree. The powerpoint mentions that they attacked every area of the Constitution, but two of its features attracted the most criticism. One was the extremely increased powers of the central government. The second included the lack of “bill of rights” that would have provided necessary liberties including freedom of speech and religion.
Jefferson recognized that the purchase would be “beyond constitutional,” (Jefferson) but his desire to expand America undermined his “legal scruples” (book). The Republicans and Thomas Jefferson supported the acquisition, because it was favorable to the “immediate interests of” the “western citizens” (book). The also believed it would create a more safe and peaceful environment, in a way that would separate French and American authorities. The federalists on the other hand, disagreed with the treaty for various reasons. They were worried that westward expansion would increase wages on the Atlantic coast by “reducing and lowering the value of real estate in their region” (book). The federalists knew that the states to that would be created from the new land would be settled by Jeffersonian Republicans, ultimately establishing a stronger Republican foothold in the country. Despite the feuds between the two groups, the Senate ratified the treaty with a vote of twenty-six to six, and on December 20, 1803, America took possession of the Louisiana
The Anti-Federalist Party, led by Patrick Henry, objected to the constitution. They objected to it for a few basic reasons. Mostly the Anti-Federalists thought that the Constitution created too strong a central government. They felt that the Constitution did not create a Federal government, but a single national government. They were afraid that the power of the states would be lost and that the people would lose their individual rights because a few individuals would take over. They proposed a “Bill of Rights”, to make sure the citizens were protected by the law. They believed that no Bill of Rights would be equal to no check on our government for the people.
The Louisiana Purchase was the most important event of President Thomas Jefferson's first Administration. In this transaction, the United States bought 827,987 square miles of land from France for about $15 million. This vast area lay between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains, stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to the Canadian Border. The purchase of this land greatly increased the economic resources of the United States, and cemented the union of the Middle West and the East. Eventually all or parts of 15 states were formed out of the region. When Jefferson became president in March 1801, the Mississippi River formed the western boundary of the United States. The Florida's lay the south, and the Louisiana Territory to the west. Spain owned both these territories.
Anti –federalist believed that with out the bill of rights, the national government would became a to strong it would threating the americans peoples rights and libertys. Due to prior american revolution, ant-federalist did not forget what they fought for an believed that with a stronger national government, the president could become kind if he wanted. During this time people still feared a strong central government, due to british occupany of the states. Concidently the of people who wanted the bill of rights and were anti-federalist were famers and the working class, as to the fedarlist were extremely rich and powerful people Thomas Jeferson who was a active anti-federalist once wrote to james Madison A bill of rights is what the people are entitled to against every government on earth, general or particular; and what no just government should refuse, or rest on inferences. (Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 1787. ME 6:388, Papers
During the late 18th century the Antifederalists argued against the constitution on the grounds that it did not contain a bill of rights. They believed that without a list of personal freedoms, the new national government might abuse its powers and that the states would be immersed in an all too dominant and influential national government. The Antifederalists worried that the limits on direct voting and the long terms of the president and senators, supplied by the constitution, would create a population of elites and aristocrats, which in turn would eventually take away power from the people. They also feared that the president might become another monarch. In other words, the Antifederalists ultimately felt that the new Constitution was undemocratic.
The Constitution, when first introduced, set the stage for much controversy in the United States. The two major parties in this battle were the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists. The Federalists, such as James Madison, were in favor of ratifying the Constitution. On the other hand, the Anti-Federalists, such as Patrick Henry and Richard Henry Lee, were against ratification. Each party has their own beliefs on why or why not this document should or should not be passed. These beliefs are displayed in the following articles: Patrick Henry's "Virginia Should Reject the Constitution," Richard Henry Lee's "The Constitution Will Encourage Aristocracy," James Madison's "Federalist Paper No. 10," and "The Letters to Brutus." In these documents, many aspects of the Constitution, good and bad, are discussed. Although the Federalists and Anti-Federalists had very conflicting views, many common principals are discussed throughout their essays. The preservation of liberty and the effects of human nature are two aspects of these similarities. Although the similarities exist, they represent and support either the views of the Federalists or the Anti-Federalists.
The backdrop of Louisiana acquisition accompanied with the advent of the 17th century. As France scrutinized the Mississippi river rambling adjustment of the region took place. As the 18th century advanced France overcame the existing day United Sates of America than any other region of the European country (U.S., 2016). All the while the French and Indian War France abandon French Louisiana, Mississippi river of Spain and with advancing time they handed over the existing ownership to the Britain. The Louisiana acquisition was originally the deal of land between two enormous countries United States of America and France. In 1803, the accord of and took place between both the countries. The deal
While the Federalists believe in a strong, central government, the Anti-Federalists believe in the shared power of state and national governments to maintain the rights of all Americans .The Anti-Federalist favored a confederated government were the state and national governments could share power ,protect citizen’s freedom ,and independence. The Anti-Federalists found many problems in the Constitution. Many were concerned the central government take was all individual rights. Anti-Federalist primarily consisted of farmers and tradesmen and was less likely to be a part of the wealthy elite than were members of their rival the Federalist. Many Anti-federalists were local politicians who feared losing power should the Constitution be ratified and argued that senators that served for too long and represented excessively large territories would cause senators to forget what their responsibilities were for that state. They argued that the Constitution would give the country an entirely new and unknown form of government and saw no reason in throwing out the current government. Instead, they believed that the Federalists had over-stated the current problems of the country and wanted improved characterization of power allowable to the states. They also maintained that the Framers of the Constitution had met as a discriminatory group under an order of secrecy and had violated the stipulations of the Articles of Confederation in the hopes for the for ratification of the Constitution. The Anti-Federalist were sure that the Constitution would take away the rights of the American citizens and fought hard to stop the ratification on the
To buy or not to buy, that is the question. Although it was the greatest “real estate” deal, the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 was perhaps one of the most controversial events in American History. President Thomas Jefferson, although he was a Founding Father and the primary writer of the Declaration of Independence, faced major opposition with his decision to purchase the Louisiana Territory from the French. Most of the opposition he faced, however, was domestic.
President Jefferson was instrumental in the Louisiana Purchase, which secured an area extending from Canada to the Gulf and the Mississippi to the Rockies, for fifteen million dollars. This purchase also led to the planning and organization of the Lewis and Clark expedition. However, the argument over whether or not Florida was included in the Louisiana Purchase caused many sarcastic attacks on Thomas Jefferson from members of congress.