Anti-Federalists
Name one of the Anti Federalists beliefs.
Didn't like the Constitution/Federalism
Didn't like the idea of a president
Preferred the Articles of Confederation
Wanted powerful states and weak central government
Wanted a Bill of Rights
What were the Federalists' beliefs?
The Constitution and Federalism were good
The Articles of Confederation were terrible
A strong yet limited central government was needed to unite the country
Presidents were OK
A Bill of Rights was not needed
What are the three branches of our federal government and how are they limited?
The three branches are legislative, executive, and the judicial branch. They are limited through checks and balances and separation of powers.
What is the Bill of Rights?
The first ten amendments to the US Constitution that lists basic rights.
Name one Anti-Federalist.
Thomas Jefferson, John Hancock, Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, George Mason, and/or Mercy Otis Warren
Who were some Federalists?
Alexander Hamilton
James Madison
John Jay
George Washington
Benjamin Franklin
How do checks and balances limit the federal government?
They make sure no one branch gets too powerful - every branch has power over the other two and they all can stop or OK the other branches from doing something.
Why is it important that the Constitution can be amended?
America and its peoples perspectives are fickle and ever-changing, so the Constitution should be able to reflect that by being not too hard to change but not too easy either. The really important things (like voting rights) can be reflected and guranteed in the Constitution so people are taken care of.
Why do you think the Anti-Federalists didn't like the Constitution?
They thought the Constitution was too powerful and could become a tyrant like Great Britain. The Constitution also made a president and they thought one person with lots of power could become a despot.
What were the Federalist papers, who wrote them, and how did they help the Federalists win support to get the Constitution ratified?
The Federalist papers were a series of 85 essays. They were written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay and James Madison. They explained why the Constitution was good and how federalism would help America stay strong together. Many people were swayed by these essays.
How does a federalist system of government let states have freedoms too?
Federalism lets states be free because states and the central government work together as rough equals. The state government can take care of affairs in their state and cater to their people's specific needs. However, they are all united under the central government and all follow the central government.
How does people knowing their rights protect liberty?
People who know their rights can call the government out on violating their rights. Instead of lying down and taking the abuse meekly, the people can stand up for themselves and make sure that they are treated fairly by their government.
Why did the Anti-Federalists push for a Bill of Rights?
They thought that if a government did not have rights written in stone, powerful people would naturally abuse it. If the powerful Constitution had no Bill of Rights, their citizen's rights are in jeopardy.
Why do you think Federalists felt that America needed a strong government but that the government also needed to be limited?
Federalists felt a strong government was needed to unite and take care of America properly. However, if government is too strong so that a tyranny could not happen and that every branch was equal.
How does federalism protect liberty?
Federalism protects liberty because it lets state governments take care of their own states and let the federal government know how to take care of those states. The states can make their own laws to protect their people's liberties. Federal government can further this and make an amendment. States have a huge hand in how the central government runs so all of the people's opinions and needs are highlighted.
Why is it important that the government cannot take away rights?
It is important because the people can have a check on the government's power this way. Even if the government happens to have someone who disagrees with the rights of a group of people, the Constitution will safeguard their rights regardless. That group's rights will always be protected, and discrimination cannot occur.
How can a Bill of Rights protect personal liberties?
It lists that the government cannot take away these rights of the people. No one can interfere with these rights and the citizens can stand up for themselves by knowing what their rights are and if they are being encroached upon.
Why do you think Federalists did not want a Bill of Rights?
Federalists thought that the Constitution alone protected rights. Alexander Hamilton said “A Bill of Rights would be not only unnecessary, but even dangerous! For why declare that certain things shall not be done by Congress when it has no power to do them in the first place?” Federalists basically thought that the Constitution already said that the government could not encroach upon rights, so why did they need to list them a second time?
What if we still had a confederal system? How would that affect America?
We would not be a nation, and if we were, a very chaotic and vulnerable nation. Congress would be the only branch, and a feeble, destitute one at that. There would be no military, and 13 different currencies. Also, the Louisiana Purchase probably would never have happened underneath a confederation, so America would still be tiny.
What if there was no Bill of Rights?
The government would likely be more abusive. Since there would be really nothing saying that the couldn't do something, they would do it. For instance, if the police needed to search a home, they could just barge in and take what they want. The people would think this was ok and would lie down to be a doormat for their abusive government.