Beliefs of the Anti-Federalists Essay - 721 Words

The name, Anti-Federalists is not the best-suited name for what they truly are, or what they believe in. â€Å"They are called the Anti-Federalists, but it should be made clear at once that they were not Anti-Federal at all.† (Main xi) Originally, the word federalist, meant anyone who supported the Articles of Confederation. The term â€Å"Anti-Federalist† was placed on them to portray them as people who did not agree with the Federal Government, which was exactly opposite of what they are. According to the proper definition, the Anti-Federalists were really more â€Å"Federal† than the so-called Federalists. Many Anti-Federalists felt this way because â€Å"they took their bearings from the principles of federalism laid down in the Articles.†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦show more content†¦They thought that the national government would soon dominate the state governments. The Federalists started calling the groups of people who disagreed with them the Anti-Federal ists. The Federalists felt that what they were trying to do what was best for the country and government, therefore being more â€Å"federal†. Not only were they calling their enemies Anti-Federalists just because they did not agree with them, but they also had a reason behind it. The Federalists’ idea was â€Å"the use of the term was the way some great men had to deceive the common people, and prevent their knowing what they were about.† (Main xiii) This idea states that the term â€Å"anti† puts on an image that they are not for the federal government. The Federalists were trying to convince the people that the Anti-Federalists were not fighting for, but against the country and government. In the Boston American Herald of December 10, 1787 there was a phrase that became helpful to the people: â€Å"A FEDERALIST is a Friend to a Federal Government- An ANTI-FEDERALIST is an Enemy to a Confederation. –Therefore, the FRIENDS to the New Plan o f CONSOLIDATION, are Anti-Federal, and its Opposers are firm Federal Patriots.† (Main xii) This newspaper was trying to show to the â€Å"common people† (Main xiii) what the Anti-Federalists believed in. The Federalists wanted a large national government and smaller state governments, whereas theShow MoreRelatedThe Federalists Believed That Central Government Should Be Kept At A Distance From The American People1283 Words   |  6 PagesThe Federalists believed that central government involvement should be kept at a distance from the American people. They were also dissatisfied with the Articles of Confederation. 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