Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists

1
Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists

• Thomas Jefferson Alexander Hamilton
• Anti-Federalist Federalist

2
Ratification of the Constitution

• The Constitution was approved by the delegates on
  September 17, 1787. It was sent to the states for
  ratification on September 28, 1787.

3
Two sides emerge

• Federalists- Led by James Madison and
• Alexander Hamilton. These framers were
• pro-constitution and believed that a more
• powerful central government was needed.
• Anti-Federalists- Led by Patrick Henry, John
• Hancock and Samuel Adams. Felt too much
• power was given to the central government
• and not enough to the states.

4
Twisting of arms

• Thomas Jefferson was an ardent anti-
• federalist, however, George Washington and
• James Madison were able to convince him
• to assist in getting Virginia to ratify the
• Constitution.

5
The Federalist Papers

• 85 essays written by
• Alexander Hamilton,
• James Madison and
• John Jay. Set out
• arguments for the new
• Constitution in an effort
• to get the New York
• legislature to ratify it.
• One of the most
• important literary
• works in US history.

6
Inauguration of the New Government

• The new Congress convened on March 4, 1789.
• It would meet to count electoral votes that would
  determine the first President of the United
  States.
• On April 6, by unanimous vote, George Washington
  is elected our first President.