Ratification Debate Preceding U.S. Revolution: Federalists vs Anti-Federalists - Essay Sample

Introduction

The ratification debate in the United States took place at a time preceding the revolution that occurred in the year 1776 (Brown and Shannon 116). Most people feared that the drafted constitution would take away the freedom of speech and religion, which were the major agendas with the revolution. Such is because the written constitution lacked any bill of rights that guaranteed civil liberty. This fear ended up setting the stage for the great battle between the federalists and the anti-federalists (Brown and Shannon 116). The federalists wanted a stable federal government that was independent of the states which could unite all the states as well as representing the whole of the United States in matters concerning diplomatic and economic issues among other world countries. However, the anti-federalists feared for this idea. Vowing to oppose the ratification of the new constitution by all means. Their main concern and fear were that the federal government was similar to the British parliamentary system and monarch government, which was so distant to the issues affecting the ordinary citizen.

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Furthermore, the anti-federalists feared for the ordinary citizen's freedom (Brown and Shannon 116). Since the drafted constitution took place in secrecy, the ratification debate was conducted publicly in a state convention. It proved to be a war of battle between the anti-federalists and the federalists (Brown and Shannon 117).

Analysis of the Content of the Speeches

The most exceptional resistance to the ratification of the drafted constitution was expected to be in the New York states. The New York convection for the ratification of the drafted constitution was one of the hottest. Melancton Smith representing the anti-federalists to debate the contested issues against the constitution. Alexander Hamilton was representing the federalists (Brown and Shannon 118). While discussing the drafted constitution, the speeches that were made at the convention were divided into three major categories, these include; representation in Congress, sources of corruption and constitution's effect on the states (Brown and Shannon 122).

Congress representation: The anti-federalists argued that the newly drafted constitution was not the best tool since it stipulated that only one person could represent 30, 000 people. To Smith, this was under-representation since some district could be too big for one person to represent people's interest adequately. Additionally, Smith further indicated that, with that kind of set up, only the rich people would get a chance to power. Hence, they will not be able to represent the poor adequately since the rich had no touch with the poor and the kind of need they had (Brown and Shannon 123 - 125). He further outlined issues like huge taxes being imposed on the poor and the issue of aristocracy whereby the noble and the rich only get a chance to power. However, Hamilton representing the federalists countered Smith's debate issues by stating that even with a small number of people, public representation is possible. He gave an example of Sparta, where three magistrates who represented people so well and earned their confidence. Additionally, there was further supported to his argument with another example of tribunes of Rome, who also did an excellent job of representing people well (Brown and Shannon 125). Concerning the issue of the aristocracy, he said everybody is an aristocrat, including the poor.

Sources of corruption: Smith argued strongly that a central federal government created loopholes for corruption to occur. And since the noble are fond of success and money, the driving factor will not be to serve people but to create wealth and fame while looting the government's resources. This point was agreed by federalists too. However, the federalists disagreed with the anti-federalist on the issue of stereotyping. It was with the assumption of the rich people to be skeptical to corruption. Hamilton pointed out that anybody, whether poor or rich, can be corrupt.

Moreover, the rich were in a better position to serve people since they were being driven by compassion for the poor whereas the poor are only driven by ambitions to make it in life (Brown and Shannon 128 - 130). Last but not least, there was the constitution's effect on the states. It was with the anti-federalists fearing that the federal government would neutralize the governor's powers. They were imposing taxes unequally without considering the lives of people in different states. This point was strongly objected by the federalists who argued that even with no central federal government, those states could still impose the same tax (Brown and Shannon 130-133).

Major Concerns in the Speeches

The primary concerns expressed were; under-representation of people, aristocracy, corruption, over taxation, an untested system of government proposed by the constitution and weakening of the power of state governors. These issues were mainly expressed by the anti-federalists. However, the federalists disagreed and pointed out that the central federal government was the best.

Federalists and Anti-Federalists Comparisons

Politics and aristocracy were the primary differences between anti-federalists and federalists, not the economy. Such is so because the anti-federalist's main point of arguments brings out the fear they had about the central federal government. They felt as if the drafted constitution was taking them back to the old British system of government whereby the law ensured the noble clanged to power forever. It is imperative also to note that even when discussing the issue of corruption. The effect of the constitution on states; the subject of the aristocracy always came out strongly. However, the anti-federalists agreed to ratify the drafted constitution after seeing all states had ratified it but with a strong urge for the bill of rights to be drafted.

Work Cited

Brown and Shannon. "Chapter 6." Debating the Constitution: Speeches from the Ratification Convention, vol. 1, pp. 114-135. Retrieved from https://csac.history.wisc.edu/document-collections/constitutional-debates/debate-about-amendments/