The Beginning of the Constitution and Federalist vs Anti- Federalist. 

The United States created the Articles of Confederation as their constitution. Government had a hard time governing under the Articles of Confederation. Congress did not have any money and it did not have the power to raise money. Congress had no power over the state government or their citizens. Congress could not make the states live up to trade agreement with other nations. Congress had no power to regulate trade among the states. Citizens thought that their property rights were threatened. In 1786, many Americans were in financial trouble. Farmers in Massachusetts had serious economic problems. Farm prices were low, and when farmers could not pay their debts, many lost their farms and homes. Some were even put into prison.  Many people claimed that the new state taxes had put them in debt. As a result, they felt that the state was not protecting their interests. Then a dramatic series of events became known as Shay's Rebelion  finally convinced many Americans that it was time for a change.In an attempt to keep the state from taking their farms, local farmers under the leadership of Daniel Shays began to close down the courts where their cases were heard. The action against the courts spread to other towns and int neighboring states. The government called a convention to "revise" the Articles of Confederation. It was originally supposed to be in Annapolis, Maryland. Only 12 state reps. came, it was called to reconvene in Philadelphia. The convention was held in secret, the framers ignored Congress' instructions and BEGAN WRITING A NEW CONSTITUTION.(They basically overthrew the current government.)

Federalist or Anti-Federalist: Whats the difference?

    Once the Philidelphia Convention ended, The Federalists went to work. The Federalist were the people who supported ratifying the Constitution. The Federalist asked the states to organize their ratifying conventions as quickly as possible. They knew that their opponents had not had much time to prepare their arguments. by contrast the supporters of the Constitution had worked on it for four months. They knew the arguments for and against it. 
     To explain the new Constitution to the people, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay wrote a series of articles for a New York newspaper supporting ratification. 
    The Anit-Federalist were the people who opposed ratiying the Constituion. Anti-Federalist leaders included George Mason, Edmund Randolph, and Elbridge Gerry. Each had attended the Philadelphia Convention but refused to sign the Constitution. John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and Richard Henry Lee had all signed the Decloration of Independence , they too were against the ratification.