Index to the Anti-Federalist Papers


The Federalist Papers presented the arguments for and in defense of the constitution. Those who opposed the constitution had a wide range of objections, which are collected into what's known as the anti-federalist papers.

Anti Federalist 1General introduction: a dangerous plan of benefit only to the "aristocratick combination"
Anti Federalist 2We have been told of phantoms
Anti Federalist 3New constitution creates a national government; will not abate foreign influence; dangers of civil war and despotism
Anti Federalist 4Foreign wars, civil wars, and indian wars - three bugbears
Anti Federalist 5Scotland and england - a case in point
Anti Federalist 6The hobgoblins of anarchy and dissensions among the states
Anti Federalist 7Adoption of the constitution will lead to civil war
Anti Federalist 8The power vested in congress of sending troops for suppressing insurrections will always enable them to stifle the first struggles of freedom
Anti Federalist 9A consolidated government is a tyranny
Anti Federalist 10On the preservation of parties, public liberty depends
Anti Federalist 11Unrestricted power over commerce should not be given the national government
Anti Federalist 12How will the new government raise money?
Anti Federalist 13The expense of the new government
Anti Federalist 14Extent of territory under consolidated government too large to preserve liberty or protect property
Anti Federalist 15Rhode island is right!
Anti Federalist 16Europeans admire and federalists decry the present system
Anti Federalist 17Federalist power will ultimately subvert state authority
Anti Federalist 18-20What does history teach? (part 1)
Anti Federalist 18-20What does history teach? (part 2)
Anti Federalist 21Why the articles failed
Anti Federalist 22Articles of confederation simply requires amendments, particularly for commercial power and judicial power; constitution goes too far
Anti Federalist 23Certain powers necessary for the common defense, can and should be limited
Anti Federalist 24Objections to a standing army (part 1)
Anti Federalist 25Objections to a standing army (part 2)
Anti Federalist 26The use of coercion by the new government (part 1)
Anti Federalist 27The use of coercion by the new government (part 2)
Anti Federalist 28The use of coercion by the new government (part 3)
Anti Federalist 29Objections to national control of the militia
Anti Federalist 30-31A virginia antifederalist on the issue of taxation
Anti Federalist 32Federal taxation and the doctrine of implied powers (part 1)
Anti Federalist 33Federal taxation and the doctrine of implied powers (part 2)
Anti Federalist 34The problem of concurrent taxation
Anti Federalist 35Federal taxing power must be restrained
Anti Federalist 36Representation and internal taxation
Anti Federalist 37Factions and the constitution
Anti Federalist 38Some reactions to federalist arguments
Anti Federalist 39Appearance and reality-the form is federal; the effect is national
Anti Federalist 40On the motivations and authority of the founding fathers
Anti Federalist 41-43The quantity of power the union must possess is one thing; the mode of exercising the powers given is quite a different consideration
Anti Federalist 41-43The quantity of power the union must possess is one thing; the mode of exercising the powers given is quite a different consideration
Anti Federalist 44What congress can do; what a state can not
Anti Federalist 45Powers of national government dangerous to state governments; new york as an example
Anti Federalist 46Where then is the restraint?
Anti Federalist 47Balance of departments not achieved under new constitution
Anti Federalist 48No separation of departments results in no responsibility
Anti Federalist 49On constitutional conventions (part 1)
Anti Federalist 50On constitutional conventions (part 2)
Anti Federalist 51Do checks and balances really secure the rights of the people?
Anti Federalist 52On the guarantee of congressional biennial elections
Anti Federalist 53A plea for the right of recall
Anti Federalist 54Apportionment and slavery: northern and southern views
Anti Federalist 55Will the house of representatives be genuinely representative? (part 1)
Anti Federalist 56Will the house of representatives be genuinely representative? (part 2)
Anti Federalist 57Will the house of representatives be genuinely representative? (part 3)
Anti Federalist 58Will the house of representatives be genuinely representative? (part 4)
Anti Federalist 59The danger of congressional control of elections
Anti Federalist 60Will the constitution promote the interests of favorite classes?
Anti Federalist 61Questions and comments on the constitutional provisions regarding the election of congressmen
Anti Federalist 62On the organization and powers of the senate (part 1)
Anti Federalist 63On the organization and powers of the senate (part 2)
Anti Federalist 64On the organization and powers of the senate (part 3)
Anti Federalist 65On the organization and powers of the senate (part 4)
Anti Federalist 66From North Carolina
Anti Federalist 67Various fears concerning the executive department
Anti Federalist 68On the mode of electing the president
Anti Federalist 69The character of the executive office
Anti Federalist 70The powers and dangerous potentials of his elected majesty
Anti Federalist 71The presidential term of office
Anti Federalist 72On the electoral college; on reeligibility of the president
Anti Federalist 73Does the presidential veto power infringe on the separation of departments?
Anti Federalist 74The president as military king
Anti Federalist 75A note protesting the treaty-making provisions of the constitution
Anti Federalist 76-77An antifederalist view of the appointing power under the constitution
Anti Federalist 78-79The power of the judiciary (part 1)
Anti Federalist 80The power of the judiciary (part 2)
Anti Federalist 81The power of the judiciary (part 3)
Anti Federalist 82The power of the judiciary (part 4)
Anti Federalist 83The federal judiciary and the issue of trial by jury
Anti Federalist 84On the lack of a bill of rights
Anti Federalist 85Concluding remarks: evils under confederation exaggerated; constitution must be drastically revised before adoption

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