Historiographical term for American opposition to government control/supervision?

by ThucydidesWasAwesome

There is a well known and long standing American tradition of disliking government intervention in domestic affairs. Calling it anarchic or libertarian, however, seems an error since both are mid-19th century ideas while this tradition stretches further back. Libertarianism and other ideologies seem to simply give theoretical articulation to long held beliefs.

Is there an accepted term within historiography for this opposition to big government among Americans?

macsenscam

At one point there were the Federalists and the anti-Federalists. It seems that the problem of finding a name that suits everyone is not a new one.