1. Federalists vs. Antifederalists
Reading Like a Historian

2. Key Points to Remember
Constitutional Convention created new Constitution in 1787
One of the biggest debates was over representation
Large Population states want it based on population
Smaller states wanted equal representation
The Great Compromise solved the problem
Bicameral Legislature
Senate (2 Senators from each state)
House of Representatives (1 rep. for every 30,000 people)
Antifederalists did not think it was good enough
Wanted more representation; Did not think 1 person could represent 30,000 people
Constitution had to be ratified by 9 of the 13 states which lead to intense debates is many states
Federalists – supported Constitution
Antifederalists – opposed a strong central government/wanted a Bill of Rights

3. Federalists vs. Antifederalists

4. Two Viewpoints on Representation
Alexander Hamilton
Federalist
Melancton Smith
Antifederalist

5. Alexander Hamilton - Federalist
From the British West Indies
1774, moved to New York City
Lieutenant Colonel during Revolutionary War and Washington’s private secretary and confidential aide
Member of Continental Congress
leader of movement to call for revisions of the Articles of Confederation. 
Wrote the majority of the Federalist Papers

6. Melancton Smith - Antifederalist
From New York
Delegate to NY Congress
Served in Revolutionary War
Served in Continental Congress
Prominent merchant who was opposed to Slavery
One of the few important landowners and merchants among the Anti-Federalists

7. Two Viewpoints on Representation
Alexander Hamilton
Federalist
Melancton Smith
Antifederalist

8. Class Discussion
What was Hamilton’s position on representation? What arguments does he make to support his claim?
What was Smith’s position? What arguments does he make to support his claim?
Based on these arguments, what type of people would you guess tended to be Federalists? Antifederalists?
Do you see versions of these same issues being discussed today?

9. Federalists Antifederalists
•Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay
•Property owners, landed rich,
merchants in Northern states
•Believed in elitism. Saw themselves and those of their class as most fit to govern.
•Powerful central government.
2-house legislature, with one house(Senate) being more removed from the people, whom they generally distrusted.
•Patrick Henry, George Mason, Thomas Jefferson
•Small farmers, shopkeepers, laborers
•Believed in the decency of the
common man and in participatory
democracy (closer to direct democracy).
Viewed elites as corrupt. Sought greater protection of individual Rights
•Wanted stronger state government
at the expense of the federal
government. Frequent elections,
smaller districts, more direct
democracy.

10. What Really Happened?
New York ratified the Constitution by a vote of 30-27
The Antifederalists lost the battle, but won the war.
The narrowest margin of any state convention that met in
Bill of Rights, First 10 amendments to the Constitution, were proposed in 1789 and ratified in 1791
Addressed many of the concerns that Antifederalists raised in the state conventions

11. Quickwrite
If I had the opportunity to choose, I would have been a Federalist/Antifederalist because . . .