Of Federalist and Anit-Federalist

                    In early American history when the constitution was being written there was a massive debate about whether the federal government should be weak as to allow for strong state governments or to have a strong federal government and relatively weak state government.  This debate led to many articles being published by both sides with the anti-federalist being against a powerful government and the federalist being for a powerful government.  These articles would eventually become known as the Federalist Papers and the Anti-Federalist Papers and they are were written during the first few years after the Constitution was ratified in 1787.  Many of America's founding fathers took part in this debate.  Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay led the charge on the federalist side writing many articles anonymously for various publications.  It is important to note that shortly after the constitution was implemented Alexander Hamilton helped found the country's first central bank in New York City.  Patrick Henry, James Monroe, and Samuel Adams among others were the main authors of the Anti-Federalist Papers.  Ultimately, the federalist got there way as the federal government is relatively powerful compared to the state government.  However, there was comprise between the two sides that resulted in the concept of "states rights" and the idea federal law always trumps state and local law.  This means that well states have the right to write their own constitutions and laws, they are still restricted by the Constitution and federal law.