Impact of Antifederalists on the USA Constitution

 Introduction

The Antifederalists were composed of individuals who contradicted the endorsement of the constitution. Though they were not adequately organized compared to federalists, they were great leaders among them who were protuberant in state politics. These great Antifederalists were political elites such as Smith Melancton from New York, Winthrop James of Massachusetts, Mason George, and Henry Patrick from Virginia (U.S. History, par. 2). Moreover, a large group of ordinary American citizens supported these Antifederalists. Most of them were yeomen farmers who dominated rural America. The Antifederalists had different opinions on their opposition to the ratification of the American Constitution. However, they shared a core view of the politics of America. The Antifederalists thought that the main jeopardy for the future of the United States of America depended on the potential U.S. government to become a corrupt country and grab more power until U.S. government totalitarian rule dominated the American citizens (Janda et al., 2017). This paper examines the impact Antifederalists had on the United States of America Constitution.

Impact on the USA Constitution

The Antifederalists believed that the proposed constitution would lead to political corruption. The new central government branches compromised the traditional certainty of Antifederalists in limiting government power (Janda et al., 2017). The president's management of the proposed constitution allowed the president to overturn the decisions of American citizens' representatives in the legislature. For instance, the national government court system seemed to infringe on the local courts (Janda et al., 2017). Additionally, in the proposed constitution, the legislature's lower house had to have few members. The proposed form also favored elite members; they were liable to be elected as members of the lower house. Besides, members of the lower house represented a larger population in which they could hardly know their citizens. Some parts of the proposed constitution faced fierce objection by the Antifederalists (Janda et al., 2017). However, the main complaint by the Antifederalists was the lack of protection of people's liberties in the proposed constitution. The Antifederalists' objection to the proposed constitution led to the constitution's ratification. The impact of Antifederalists on the constitution can be referred to as the “Antifederalists' victory in defeat." The separation of powers during the rectification of the constitution prevented the threat of government tyranny (U.S. History par. 4). For example, the constitution's ratification started with Massachusetts and was followed by other states. This was a victory for the Antifederalists, even if the Federalists defeated them in most of their constitutional objections.

Conclusion

The Antifederalists continued involvement in the political process even though they lost on crucial issues that had vast importance in the United States American constitution (ratification of the constitution). 

References

Janda, K., Berry, M., J., Goldman, J., Schildkraut D., & Manna, P (2017). The challenge of democracy: American government in global politics (14 edition). U.S. Wadsworth Publishing.

U.S Histrory. (2017). Antifederalists. Retrieved September 19, 2017, from http://www.ushistory.org/us/16d.asp.