Anti-Federalist
Anti-Federalism was a short-lived political movement formed in 1787 that opposed the ratification of the 1787 United States Constitution. Anti-Federalists believed that a strong central government could become too corrupt and tyrannical, thus posing a threat to individual liberties. Anti-Federalists mainly consisted of small farmers, landowners, shopkeepers, and laborers.
Although the Anti-Federalists were unsuccessful in preventing the adoption of the Constitution, they were key in introducing the Bill of Rights, as well as the adoption of the First Amendment and nine other amendments.[1]
The movement dissolved in 1789, although some straggler candidates ran under Anti-Federalism as late as 1793.
Many Anti-Federalists later joined the Jeffersonian Republican Party (later known as the Democratic-Republican Party.)