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There are a couple of important perspectives when discussing the Bill of Rights in reference to the Federalists (Washington/Hamilton/Jay/Madison, et al.) and the anti-Federalists (George Mason, Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, George Clinton, et al.). Thomas Jefferson was in Paris the whole time the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights were considered, though he ended up leading the anti-Federalist party within a couple of years of his return to the States.

Back in 1776 when the states declared independence, they each set up a state constitution and most included a bill of rights. The anti-Federalists were anti-U.S. Constitution because they believed in strong state's rights and a weak central government...therefore the Articles of Confederation were sufficient to their ends. In part, the lack of a Bill of Rights was a reason to delay ratification of the U.S. Constitution. They were trying to call for a second Constitutional Convention before any ratification could proceed.

The Federalists had their hands full in trying to get the U.S. Constitution ratified, so they felt the Constitution should be ratified and then amend it with a bill of rights. The two big states leaders in Virginia and New York were determined to defeat the Constitution. Another Federalist position was: All rights not defined in the Constitution then remain with the states and the people. They were concerned that if you start naming these rights, then it worked in reverse - that you would only have the rights that were listed...it was solved when Amendment #9 was added: The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. Also, Amendment #10 was included: The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

This addressed the concerns of the Federalists and the anti-Federalists. It was adopted by the U.S. Congress in 1789 and sent to the states for ratification which was ratified by the states in 1791.

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Q: What argument did federalists have about the Bill of Rights?
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Why did the federalists promise to attach a bill of rights to the Constitution and what amendments did this include?

The federalists promised to attach a bill of rights because the anti-federalists were writing series of papers like the federalists and by attaching the bill of rights the anti-federalists no longer had an argument. Which means the federalists won and were able to keep the constitution. They were the first ten amendments to the constitution.


What was the main argument in favor of Bill of Rights?

The main argument that was made in favor of the Bill of Rights was that it would guard against the emergence of a tyrannical government. The anti-Federalists, in particular, fought to have the Bill of Rights included in the Constitution.


What were main argument for and against ratification of the constitution?

The main argument as to whether or not the Constitution should be ratified centered around the fact that it didn't contain a Bill of Rights. Federalists wanted a strong national government. Anti-federalists felt that without a Bill of Rights, the government would have too much power.


What was the main argument in favor of the bill of rights?

The main argument that was made in favor of the Bill of Rights was that it would guard against the emergence of a tyrannical government. The anti-Federalists, in particular, fought to have the Bill of Rights included in the Constitution.


Why did Some anti federalists agree to support the constitution after the federalists added what?

Bill of Rights


What arguments did the federalists use against having a bill of rights?

The argument of the federalists is that the constitution gave the nationalists the strong national government that had wanted. Federalists felt that the Constitution provided the necessary protection already and the Bill of Rights was unnecessary. Also, the Bill of Rights pointed out rights that the government didnt have, therefore outlining the powers the government didnt have gave the appearance that the government had more powers than it actually did.


What is the difference of anti-federalists and federalists and papers?

federalists wanted the constitution to remainn in its origanal state without the bill of rights. anti federalists wanted the bill of rights


What were the views of federalists and anti federalist?

they had an argument because there was no Bill of Rights and also the executive branch held too much power.


What argument did the anti federalist make with the regard to the need for a bill of rights?

The Anti-Federalists made the argument that a Bill of Rights was needed to preserve the freedom they had just won from the British government. The Anti-Federalists in general were not disposed to a strong central government. They feared it would gain too much power. The Bill of Rights is in the US Constitution as a backstop against the federal government giving itself too much power.


What arguments did the anti federalists make with regard to the need for a Bill of Rights?

The Anti-Federalists made the argument that a bill of rights was needed to preserve the freedom they had just won from the British government. The Anti-Federalists in general were not disposed to a strong central government. They feared it would gain too much power. The Bill of Rights is in the US Constitution as a backstop against the federal government giving itself too much power.


How did the federalists get the anti federalists to sign the Constitution?

They included the Bill of Rights.


What were the issues upon which the Federalists and Anti Federalists disagreed?

The main issue that the federalists and anti-federalists disagreed upon was the Bill of Rights. The federalists believed that the people should just have the constitution, however the anti-federalists believed in making a bill of rights so the people could see what there rights were.