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

Anti-Federalists opposed to a strong central government because they were against strong federal power.

Many Anti-Federalists preferred a weak central government because they considered a strong government was akin to British tyranny.  In other words, they feared that the President turnt into a leader similar to an absolutist monarch. Consequently, they defended the Articles of Confederation, which provided the states greater powers.

‘Anti-Federalists’belonged from the class of poor people as most of them were farmers and they objected towards ratification of the constitution.

Further Explanation:

Anti-Federalists felt that a strong government will be ruled just by wealthy people and they will steal power from common and poor class of people. They also had objection with the rights and anti democratic elements which stated that President will be elected indirectly, there will be no age limit in respect to presidential term and also had issues with appointment of federal judges for lifetime. Anti-Federalists were in favor of weak central government because they equated a strong government with British Empire. They felt that the state governments were giving up too much of their powers to federal government. There another fear in respect to strong central government was that the lack of guarantees the then constitution gave in respect to individual rights. The state which was strongly opposing a strong central government in United States was “North Carolina”. This state comprised majorly of small scale workers and farmers who were self-reliant and independent and along with this, they were uneducated. They gave little attention as to what is going in other states or neighboring countries.  The issue between Federalists and Anti-Federalists continued even when North Carolina joined the union. After some time, Anti-Federalists started calling themselves as ‘Republicans’ and under this name they won Presidential elections in year 1800.  

Learn more:

1. What happens if the house and senate versions of a bill are different? link

2. Question on the case Gitlow v. New York. link

Answer details:

Grade: High School

Subject: Politics

Chapter: History of Republicans

Keywords- Federalists, Anti-Federalists, Republicans, Carolina, North Carolina, United States, Judges, Presidential Elections, British Empire, Democrats.  

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