What ideas about government separated the federalist and the anti federalist?

Answer 1

During the debates over the adoption of the new Constitution, the delegates divided into two camps; the Federalists, who favored a strong central government, and the Anti-Federalists who feared such a government. Both sides favored a more robust government than the Articles of Confederation, so the sticking point became the powers that the government would have.

The Federalists didn't think a specific listing of rights was necessary; after all, the Constitution granted the Federal government only specific LIMITED powers and authority, listed in the "Enumerated Powers" of Article 1 Section 8. The Anti-Federalists feared that any powerful central government would claim powers not granted.

The Federalists claimed "There's no need for a right protecting the citizen's right to keep guns, or worship God in his own way, or to speak freely. The Constitution doesn't give the government any right to oppose that."

The compromise was the Bill of Rights, the first ten Amendments to the Constitution.

History has proven that the Anti-Federalists were right; the Federal government FREQUENTLY passes laws that are not allowed by the terms of the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights has become the final stopgap against government tyranny.