Similarities&Differences between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists and the Democrats &Republicans

There are many key similarities and differences between the scopes of the arguments of both the Federalists and Anti-Federalists and the Democrats and Republicans. Like the Federalists, the Democrats today support a stronger federal central government, whilst the Anti-Federalists are very similar to the Republicans who believe instead in increasing the rights of the states. Despite the similarities between Federalists and Democrats as well as Anti-Federalists and Republicans, there were several key differences such as the fact that, whilst Federalists and Anti-Federalists were fighting over if there should even be a centralised federal government in the first place, the Republicans and Democrats today instead advocate for changes in the already existing federal government – completely removing this institution would be nearly impossible.

The Federalists held the firm belief in a strong central federal government. The Constitution, unlike the Articles of Confederation, established this government with judicial, legislative and executive powers – giving it much more power than the previous Confederate Congress. Federalists supported the Constitution due to its establishment of this government which they believed would be more able to govern the (at that time) mostly independent states which were in a state of trouble. The United States as a whole had accumulated huge war debts, and in order for these to be paid off the Federalists believed in a strong central government which could bring the country out of its debt.

Opposing the Federalist cause in favour of a strong central government were the Anti-Federalists, who thought that power should remain in the hands of the states. They did not support the ratification of the Constitution as they believed that the empowerment of a strong central government would bring a situation to the United States similar to that which was long present in colonial rule – with the central government acting like Parliament and giving orders to distant colonies. They feared that, like in the British colonial situation, those in power would abuse their power and begin to commit atrocious acts against the people of the United States. Anti-Federalists did have evidence to support their cause, just as the Federalists. The battle between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists was based on whether to ratify a single document – the Constitution – but the impact of this action would be tremendous. Ratification of the Constitution would radically change the structure of the United States from what it was just after the American Revolution, allowing it to become a large, unified nation instead of a collection of independent states. Both the Federalists and Anti-Federalists saw their support for their cause as outweighing that of the other cause, each side believing that their ideas would establish a stronger American nation.

The modern Democrats’ and Republicans’ debates over the scope of the federal government is very similar to the earlier debates over the ratification of the Constitution. Democrats, like the much earlier Federalists, believe in the power of a centralised government, and give similar reasons. Democrats believe that a strong central government is essential in order to power the complex United States economic system, which they believe would disintegrate if states again became loosely associated instead of having an identity as part of a unified nation. On the other hand, Anti-Federalists bear striking resemblance to the modern Republicans, who – like the Anti-Federalists – are advocates for more power being given to individual states.

Although the two modern political parties and their disputes bear many similarities in general theme to those of the opposing sides disagreeing about the ratification of the US Constitution, the effect of their disputes are very different. Federalists and Anti-Federalists were arguing and disputing about a much more fundamental issue – whether there would be a federal government in the first place. On the other hand, even though modern-day Democrats and Republicans lean to the sides of the much earlier Federalists and Anti-Federalists, their disputes are still within the realm of an existing federal government. Although they can make changes to the power held by the states and that held by the federal government, this is a process which takes place over a long amount of time and it would be impossible to entirely abandon the federal government. When compared to the Federalists and Anti-Federalists, the debates between the Democrats and Republicans are much smaller.

Another essential difference between the modern parties and the Federalists and Anti-Federalists is in the longevity of the debates and disputes. Whilst the Federalists and Anti-Federalists had a conflict which lasted for a relatively short period of time in which they disputed about only a single document – a dispute which would definitely end upon the final decision – the modern-day Democrats and Republicans do not have such a definitive end to their arguments. As opposing political parties, they do not simply disagree over a single document and then stop arguing after the final decision regarding the future of it – but instead, they are representatives for a wide range of issues which they argue about and attempt to come to conclusions about, with each side coming up with new conflicts which are then debated and decided, forming an almost infinite loop.

In conclusion, the modern Democratic party and the Federalists bear resemblance in that they both believe in a strong central government, whilst the modern Republican party and the Anti-Federalists share their strong belief as advocates for the rights of individual states. Despite their similarities, however, there are multiple key differences between the modern political parties and the opposing sides as they viewed the US Constitution. For one part, the Federalists and Anti-Federalists were deciding about the sheer existence of a centralised government, whilst the modern Democrats and Republicans advocate for small changes in the already existing system. As well as this, while the disagreement between Federalists and Anti-Federalists centred around a central document and this dispute settled down after the ratification of the US Constitution, the disputes between the Democrats and Republicans will still continue for a long time with no end in sight.