Final answer:
The Federalists supported ratification of the Constitution and a stronger national government, while the Anti-Federalists opposed ratification and wanted more power for the states. The Federalists were often wealthy planters and bankers, while the Anti-Federalists were farmers and rural individuals.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Federalists and the Anti-Federalists differed on the issues confronting the new nation in several ways.
- The Federalists supported ratification of the Constitution because they believed that the country needed a stronger national government. They argued for a centralized republic that would consolidate power at the national level.
- The Anti-Federalists opposed ratification and believed that the Constitution gave the national government too much power. They preferred a political union where the states had more power. They also argued for the inclusion of a bill of rights in the Constitution.
- The Federalists tended to be well-to-do bankers and wealthy planters, while the Anti-Federalists were often farmers and individuals from rural areas.