Combines a wide variety of anti-federalist documents with insightful commentary to provide a representative work on this important political group. David J. Siemers's presents these selected works with clear explanations, showing the chronological development of the ratification fight.

In 1787, a great debate raged in America over whether or not to ratify the newly proposed constitution. Arguing against ratification were such patriotic luminaries as Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry and George Clinton. Known as anti-federalists, they opposed the constitution on the grounds that it consolidated too much power in the hands of a central governing body - something the nation had just fought a war to escape. "The Antifederalists: Men of Great Faith and Forbearance" combines a wide variety of anti-federalist documents with insightful commentary to provide a representative work on this important political group. David J. Siemers's carefully selected works and clear explanations bring out the variety among anti-federalists and the chronological development of the ratification fight.

The first anti-federalists - objectors at the Philadelphia convention
the contemporaneous canon
anti-federalism of the "middling class"
virulent anti-federalism
elite anti-federalism
post-ratification views. Appendices: Spurious and satirical materials
ratification chronology
the Constitution of the United States.