The Complete Anti-Federalist

The anti-federalists were a group of people during Colonial America who opposed the formation of the US Constitution and a powerful Federal Government. They believed the US should have a loose confederation of states, with each having its own government, laws and rights. The anti-federalists argued that a strong federal government would be too powerful, and deprive the states of their rights. They also feared it would lead to a centralization of power and authority. The complete anti-federalists wanted to keep power in the hands of the people and the states, not the federal government.