Federalists v. Antifederalists by Chris Lingat, Joe Sanchez, Erick Aguilar, Mike Sliwinski
By cl23965
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Background Information
The Federalists, who supported Hamilton, were for the Constitution and a strong central government; they were focused on industry and benefitting the rich. The Anti Federalists, who supported Jefferson’s political views, were against the Constitution and a wanted a more state focused governing style; they believed in an agrarian society that gave each state’s its own government. -
Articles of Confederation
Established a loose confederation of largely independent states with limited powers vested in the central government. It set up a national legislature called Congress, consisting of delegates from the states. Each state had one vote in Congress, regardless of its size or population. The Articles of Confederation guided a weak government that could not support itself or the nation behind it. -
Constitution (2)
While both parties emerged during Washington's first administration, the Federalists grew in popularity amonst those that wanted a strong government. Hamilton was in charge of the Treasury during Washington's presidency. The elitist style of the Federalists made it extremely popular in the north, where more merchants and the wealthy were situated. On the other hand, the Anti-Federalists believed in a government that gave more power to the individual states. -
Constitution (1)
The failed Articles of Confederation forced the US government to create a new document that would serve as a guide. The Constitution was the answer, but two parties emerged as a result of the writing of the Constitution - the Federalists and Anti-Federalists. The Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton believed in a strong central government that revolved the economy around industry. This industrial economy would benefit the wealthy and harm the farmers. -
Constitution (3)
The Anti-Federalists were led by Thomas Jefferson, Washington's Secretary of State. They wanted to focus the economy on the agrarian side, which is why Anti-Federalists were mainly farmers from the south. While they both gained popularity during the Washington administration, they differed in emergence because of the people they targeted and affected. -
Hamilton's Financial Plan (1)
- Funding and Assumption - The federal government would assume all war debts of the French Indian War. The Federalists believed in this because it would equally divide costs among states through taxes. The Anti-Federalists believed it was unfair for certain states that didn't spend much money during the war.
- Bank of U.S - The bank would show how strong the US government is by having strong relationships internationally; this would attract more loans and bankers.
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Hamilton's Financial Plan (2)
The Anti-Federalists opposed the bank because it would centralize power in the north where banking was more prominent.- Protective Tariff - The tariff would create money for the government in order to meet the debts they were going to pay for. It would also give them money to meet other needs. Anti-Federalists because it harmed the farmers and gave too much power to the government. Farmers could not afford to import/export; this would hurt the south immensely.
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Alien and Sedition Acts
The Alien Act empowered the president to arrest and deport dangerous aliens. The Sedition Act made it illegal to publish defamatory statements about the federal government or its officials. These laws were passed by John Adams, who was Federalist. He passed these acts in order to give power to the government and create fear in the citizens. Fear among the citizens would give more authority to the government. -
Alien and Sedition Acts
The Alien Acts empowered the president to arrest and deport dangerous aliens. The Sedition Acts made it illegal to publish defamatory statements about the federal government or its officials. These acts were created by John Adams, a Federalist. The reason he created them were to give the government more power and put fear into the citizens eyes towards the government. Fear of the government among the people would give the government more authority and power. -
Election of 1800
The first party system crumbles. The Federalist party dissolved after the election of Thomas Jefferson, the leader of the Anti-Federalist. Jefferson's presidency have rise to republicanism. Republicanism was based on three main ideas - social equality, individual freedom, and a limited government. Jefferson took action; the Alien and Sedition acts were no longer in effect. Jefferson also repealed the Judicial Acts that were put into practice by John Adams. -
Election of 1800 (2)
This lead to the court case of Marbury v. Madison which empowered Jefferson after Madison came out victorious. Thus, the Federalist party's influence in government dramatically decreased and was virtually gone. After this transition in power from the Federalists to the now called Democratic Republicans, the two main political parties were the Whigs and Democratic Republicans. -
Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase was the final end to the dissolving of the Federalist party that skyrocketed during the election of 1800. It decentralized power from the north and shifted it to the south and west. It also helped domestic trade by opening up trade routes for farmers. The Federalist party's flame was quickly burning out; the Democratic Republicans ran the government completely now.
