The Anti-Federalist

An informal collection of essays written from 1787 through the early 1790s arguing against a stronger central government as outlined in the new Constitution. Less famous than their Federalist counterparts, these essays were nonetheless important in shaping the early union.

• Anti-Federalist No. 1General Introduction: A Dangerous Plan of Benefit Only to The "Aristocratick Combination."
• Anti-Federalist No. 2We Have Been Told of Phantoms
• Anti-Federalist No. 3New Constitution Creates a National Government; Will Not Abate Foreign Influence; Dangers of Civil War And Despotism.
• Anti-Federalist No. 4Foreign Wars, Civil Wars, and Indian Wars -- Three Bugbears
• Anti-Federalist No. 5Scotland and England -- A Case in Point
• Anti-Federalist No. 6The Hobgoblins of Anarchy And Dissensions Among The States
• Anti-Federalist No. 7Adoption of The Constitution Will Lead to Civil War
• Anti-Federalist No. 8The Power Vested in Congress of Sending Troops For Suppressing Insurrections Will Always Enable Them to Stifle The First Struggles of Freedom
• Anti-Federalist No. 9A Consolidated Government Is a Tyranny
• Anti-Federalist No. 10On The Preservation of Parties, Public Liberty Depends
• Anti-Federalist No. 11Unrestricted Power Over Commerce Should Not Be Given The National Government
• Anti-Federalist No. 12How Will The New Government Raise Money?
• Anti-Federalist No. 13The Expense of The New Government
• Anti-Federalist No. 14Extent of Territory Under Consolidated Government Too Large to Preserve Liberty or Protect Property