What were the main arguments of the Antifederalists in their opposition to

Anti-federalists opposed the proposed US Constitution at the Continental Convention in 1787 because they thought it gave too much power to the federal government . They to keep and revise the Articles of Confederation (1777 . Federalists insisted on drafting a new Constitution . In the end , both sides made compromises and all 13 states ratified the Constitution . Debates saw other divisions , such as on slavery but on many issues Anti-federalists and the Federalists took opposite sides . Federalists drew support from the New England elite (bankers , manufacturers and businessmen ) and defended their ideas in the

Federalist s (1788 . Anti-federalists drew support from Southern plantation owners and wrote what were later published as the Anti-Federalists s . Five main disagreements were over taxation and regulation of trade , the standing army , the Senate , the Supreme Court and a Bill of Rights . One reason why Federalists wanted to replace the Articles was that they did not give the federal government taxation or regulatory power , so already some states were imposing tariffs Anti-federalists argued that a direct federal tax would ultimately weaken people 's loyalty to the states , which would be seen as adding additional , burdensome taxes and as unnecessary . A federal government financially independent of the states would be too powerful , more powerful than the states , \undermining states ' sovereignty that the Constitution itself recognized . Similarly , a permanent army would need maintaining even in peacetime so would drain the economy . State Militia called to duty when needed , would not . The government could billet soldiers across the states...