Divide Between Federalists And Anti Federalists

Anti-Federalists feared that the Constitution would establish a weak central government and overburden the states.

Federalists sought to accelerate the ratification of the Constitution to consolidate power in the hands of the Northern elite.

Federalists believed that a Bill of Rights would weaken the federal government, as most states already had such protections in place.

Anti-Federalists believed that the remoteness of a federal government would adequately protect ordinary citizens if the Constitution were ratified without amendments.

Federalists sought immediate ratification of the Constitution, whereas Anti-Federalists demanded the addition of a Bill of Rights, a staple of state constitutions.