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Q.3. Discuss the struggle between the Federalists and anti-Federalists in America (1787-1800). What were their respective political and economic ideas? (20)

Introduction:

After U.S gained independence, attempts were made to realize republican ambitions. the first representative government was formed in 1789. Between 1789 to 1789, the country was governed by a congress made up of 6 governors. It was at this time, that differences emerged in the country over political ideology. This gave rise to two strong groups, federalists and anti-federalists.
federalists: george washington, john jay
antifederalists: thomas jefferson, thomas lee
the striking differences between the two groups were:

Form of government:
Federalists believed that power should be in the hands of those who had been used it earlier. They felt, common man was not capable of running the government and so he should not e allowed to govern.

Antifederalists, on the other hand believed that common man should also be given the right to govern and that they had all the capabilities needed to run a government.

Economic differences:
Federalists held a view that wealth should remain in the hands of the aristocrats and land should be controlled by the government. They were not willing for equitable distribution of wealth. They also wanted protocol for the elite. They also felt that there should be federal reserve bank and money should remain in the centre.

Antifederalists differed from federalists and earnestly desired equal distribution of wealth. they felt that security and protocol should also be given equally to all, elite and common man alike. they held the view that state should have more financial powers.

Political ideology:

Perhaps, the most striking difference between federalists and anti federalists was the concept of federation and federating units. Federalists wanted a strong centre and relatively weak states. But antifederalists propounded contrary views i.e strong federating units and a weak centre. They felt that a strong federation would be similar to the former British domination.

Congress
federalists felt that the representation in congress should be in accordance to the population of a state. But anti federalists wanted equality. They wanted that the all the states should have equal representation in congress.

Bill of rights: bill of rights was the first amendment to the u.s constitution. Basically, it consisted of 12 amendments, out of which only 10 were accepted. The clauses of bill of rights are
• Freedom of assembly, association, press and religion
• Right to possess weapon
• Not to quarter soldiers
• No illegal searches and seizures
• Speedy trials
• Right to jury if theft above 12 dollars
• No excessive bails and punishments
• Should not be tried under due laws
• Should have rights other than those mentioned in the bill
• Should have powers other than those mentioned in the constitution.

Federalists did not consider the bill of rights to be necessary whereas, anti federalists were bent upon the acceptance of bill of rights.

Constituition
Federalists wanted the newly approved constitution to be ratified. On the contrary, anti federalists were not willing to ratify the constitution without bill of rights.

Critical analysis:
Dual federalism is the name given to the type of government between 1789 to 1900. From 1900 to 1960 was a cooperative federalism. Under johnson’s government there was a creative federalism between 1960 to 1968. Grant in aids were increased. From 1968 till present, contemporary federalism has been in trend.