The Antifederalists opposed the ratification of the United States Constitution from 1787 to 1788, believing it gave too much power to the federal government. They wanted individual states and citizens to have more rights. They succeeded in getting the Federalists to incorporate their idea of individual liberties, resulting in the Bill of Rights.
The Antifederalists were a political coalition formed after the Revolutionary War, during the early stages of drafting the United States Constitution. From 1787 to 1788, they opposed ratifying the Constitution as written, believing it gave too much centralized power to the federal government, which could eventually lead to a monarchy. Antifederalists wanted individual states and private citizens to have more rights of their own, independent of the federal government. They were particularly against the idea of a president, believing that Congress should be able to act on its own.
Prior to the drafting of the Constitution, the United States was governed by the articles contained in the Articles of Confederation. Both federalists and anti-federalists realized that the document was unable to address all issues and that another document outlining government powers was needed; however, it took the two sides nearly a full year to come together on what would become the United States Constitution. Federalists wanted a stronger centralized government, deeming it necessary for the protection of the nation, while antifederalists feared governmental infringement.
One of the major problems that the antifederalists had with the proposed constitution was that it did not contain a bill of rights. They believed that the document should clearly outline the individual freedoms of citizens and that it should contain safeguards that ensured that the government could not infringe on those freedoms. Antifederalists argued that this bill of rights should be the basis of the entire constitution and should replace the powers of both state and federal government.
During the time the Constitution was under discussion, members of both sides gave impassioned speeches, both before the Constitutional Congress and the public, to try to win favor for their cause. Patrick Henry, of Virginia, was one of the most eloquent and eloquent speakers advocating for the rights of individuals and states, and is generally regarded as the leader of the antifederalist movement. Other notable leaders of the movement included Samuel Adams and James Monroe.
Eventually, Patrick Henry and his team succeeded in getting the federalists to incorporate their idea that individual liberties should be the basis of the Constitution. Together with the Federalists, they drafted amendments to the Constitution that became known as the Bill of Rights. This bill, ratified in 1791, grants United States citizens a total of ten inalienable rights which include the right to free speech, freedom of religion, and the right to bear arms.
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