In the first essay, Brutus discusses whether or not the thirteen states should be consolidated into one republic, which was something the Federalists proposed. The essays by Brutus speak on various issues he believed the Federalists were writing into the Constitution. He would not support certain concessions to Congress. Yates was a judge and a politician, and he left the Convention of 1787 when passage of the Constitution was brought up for a vote. Some experts do believe that “Brutus” was none other than Robert Yates. One of the most important essays was written by one with the pen name Brutus. Some of the essays included in the collection of anti-federalist papers were pen names we can speculate on the individual’s true identity, but history did not record the information. What are the Most Important Anti-Federalist Papers? Keep in mind that the Constitution was written when there were only thirteen states on American soil. ![]() ![]() It also spoke to taxation, and the powers of Congress (the legislative branch) versus the rights of the states. One of the most important anti-federalist essays spoke to the system of checks and balances that we value so much today in our representative government. These include the need for a stronger union, the need for responsibility and checks in self-government, taxation, states’ rights, defense of the union, ideas regarding how Congress should be formed, and executive power. The collection of anti-federalist papers spoke on several common themes. ![]() Some titles included in the collection of The Anti-Federalist Papers include “ A Dangerous Plan of Benefit only to the ‘Aristocratick Combination” and “New Constitution Creates a National Government Will Not Abate Foreign Influence Dangers of Civil War and Despotism.” Interestingly enough, many of these individuals expressed an overall distrust in the very wealthy, particularly merchants and industrialists. These individuals collectively believed that for a democracy to succeed, people must have direct participation in the workings of the government. Most are thought of as “localists” who “fear(ed) a powerful central government.” The anti-federalists were concerned about the size and scope of a central government. The authors of the various anti-federalist essays are numerous, but they all seemed to resound the same theme. It also specifies certain things that the federal government cannot do in regards to its citizens. This means that citizens themselves would lose many of the freedoms that the Founding Fathers clamored so diligently to win. Without the Bill of Rights, the original wording of the Constitution could have given the federal government unlimited power. These papers would eventually lead to the drafting of the previously mentioned Bill of Rights, which enumerates what rights we Americans have. These papers would become The Anti-Federalist Papers. Henry and several other Founding Fathers were opposed to some of the language in the Constitution as it was written in 1787, and they wrote papers to that effect. That’s right – the same individual whose quote “Give me liberty, or give me death!” spurred much of the emotion behind the American Revolution was a noted Anti-Federalist! This collection was written by several of the Founding Fathers, including Patrick Henry. The writers in the collection were not anti-government as the name might imply rather, they believed in a small, centralized (federal) government that gave citizens the rights we have today. In fact, the collection of essays labeled the anti-federalist papers actually served to shape the Bill of Rights. The name given this collection of works is truly a misnomer. However, many Americans might not realize that a lesser known counterpart of the collection exists this group of works is known as The Anti-Federalist Papers. Most high school students have studied pieces of a collection that came to be known as The Federalist Papers. These individuals wrote a series of papers known as the Anti-Federalist Papers, and they were integral in the addition of the Bill of Rights to the Constitution. In fact, some of the most vocal leaders for liberty were against the proposed Constitution, and for good reason. ![]() The Bill of Rights is another topic most history classes cover however, most teachers don’t elaborate on the individuals who lobbied for the inclusion of these enumerated rights into the Constitution. Washington was an apt and able general who led the War for Independence, but only reluctantly accepted the role as the nation’s first president. Likely most all Americans have learned how American independence was won most English classes study the speeches of notable historic figures such as Patrick Henry.
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