What issues separated Federalists from Ant federalists during debates over ratification? What were some of the Ant federalists’ fears? Has the system functioned as they feared?
Answer : The major issues in the debate over ratification were Federalism, the Separation of Powers, and the addition of a Bill of Rights. Ant federalists feared a strong national government and argued that a republic could only exist in a small territory populated by people of similar values and interests. They articulated the Constitution would destroy the states and create one large consolidated republic, which could easily become a monarchy.
During the rectification of the constitutions, many states opposed the rectification as they feared that federal government might take rights from them. In order to address fears of Anti-Federalists, federal government introduced Bill of Rights. These amendments guarantee a number of personal freedoms, limit the government’s power in judicial and other proceedings, and reserve some powers to the states and the public. James Madison played very decisive role in the rectification process. In the beginning provisions of bill of rights were applicable for federal government but as the times passed, most of their provisions were extended to the states by way of the Fourteenth Amendment, a process known as incorporation.
No, I do not think that system has functioned as Ant federalists feared. Powers are equally divided between the center and state. States are independent to take decisions.
