Anti-federalist Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Anti-federalist - Essay Example The strong belief of anti-federalists to have an independent, sovereign government for each state laid the basis for opposing ratification of US constitution. The anti-federalists who regarded constitution as untried were skeptical of its ability to form the finest form of government. They claimed it to be silliness to substitute the existing form of government with an entirely new document. Anti-federalists argued that constitution characterized twin evils of monarchy and aristocracy rather than the democratic goals of American Revolution. The most significant reason for the opposition against the ratification of constitution was the fear of provision for president’s supreme power. Limited restrictions on authority of national government over the states were claimed by anti-federalists and they stressed on an authority equal to states rather than a greater one. They claimed the emergence of congress as aristocratic in nature as president was supposed to be given much power by the constitution. Members of anti-federalist group doubted the effectiveness of national government in controlling a vast country like the United States. They sorted out several problems in constitution such as insufficient representation scheme and argued that constitution would put an end to self rule in the states.