What is the most efficient use of power? A strong central government, where little to no power goes to the people, or one where all the power goes to the people and very little power goes to the government? For most people the first option is their own personal nightmares whereas the latter is their ideal. The Federalists want to have a system of power where most power goes to the government and is favorable by the wealthy, well-educated men. The Anti-Federalists are in favor of a system of power where most power goes to the people. This option is favored by farmers. The Antifederalists appeals to the ordinary man, whereas the Federalists appeals to the 1% of the population that own land. The thought process of the Antifederalists appeal more to the common colonist. First, the Antifederalists want to not ratify the Constitution, but rather dd a Bill Of Rights. Led by the greatest colonist minds of Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, George Mason, and Samuel Adams, and James Winthrop, son of John Winthrop (Antifederalists). The anti-federalists want a Bill of Rights to protect the rights of the people and oppose the ratification of the Constitution. The Bill of Rights are a list of rights that they believe should be accessible to everyone, however rich or poor they were. …show more content…
George Mason, a delegate to the Philadelphia Convention, had been quoted that the Constitution was “totally subversive of every principle which has hitherto governed us. This power is calculated to annihilate totally the state governments." (Antifederalists). The states to have no power was something the Antifederalists oppose to and are very vocal about. George was also quoted saying he’d “rather chop of my right hand than put it on the Constitution as it now stands.”