Debated Issue Federalists Anti-Federalists Bill of Rights They opposed a bill of rights in the Constitution because they thought the state constitutions guaranteed individual rights. They agreed to add the Bill of Rights as a condition of ratification. They believed that a bill of rights needed to be in the Constitution to guarantee that the new federal government would not take away those rights. They successfully campaigned to have the Bill of Rights added to the Constitution after ratification.
state sovereignty
presidential power Federalist praised the Presidency. They pointed to the weaknesses of the Confederation and state governments with their nearly powerless executives. For Federalists, America needed a separate President with executive powers to enforce federal laws and conduct foreign policy effectively. Antifederalists thought that the President would become an elected monarch, that cabals would develop to ensure his reelection, and that the presidential veto power would be abused.
political corruption
taxation