Final answer:
The Federalists advocated for a strong central government, felt elites were most apt to govern, and were primarily property owners and the wealthy. Anti-Federalists favored strong state governments with more input from ordinary people, distrusting the elites, and were commonly small farmers and laborers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists: Beliefs and Ideologies
To match the group to their beliefs regarding the Federalists and Anti-Federalists:
- Federalists believed that the Union would fail without a strong central government. They thought that elites were most fit to govern and distrusted rule by the people, hence they were typically property owners, landed wealthy, and well-to-do individuals.
- Anti-Federalists wanted strong state governments, closer to the people. They believed that ordinary people should have great input into government and distrusted elites, thinking they were corrupt. The Anti-Federalists consisted mostly of small farmers, shopkeepers, laborers, and merchants.
The Federalists were led by figures like Alexander Hamilton and John Adams, who favored a strong central government and believed in promoting the interests of the wealthy to benefit all and create a strong national union. Conversely, the Anti-Federalists, including figures like Patrick Henry, preferred strong state legislatures and posited that a strong federal government would favor the rich over the common people.