Where does the Constitution fit in? Today? Back then? Where do you fit in? Where does the Constitution fit in? Today? Back then?

You are the Founding Fathers… What do you fear more; The Government or the people?

What do you think? Is the national government too big? Do we really need a Bill of Rights? What’s better for the people – a strong national government or a strong state government? At this point…would you vote to approve the Constitution as it is? Federalist or Anti-Federalist?

So…Do You Agree? Does the national government work fine the way it is? Do we really need a Bill of Rights if everything is so well done in the Constitution? At this point…would you vote to approve the Constitution as it is? Federalist or Anti – Federalist?

Arguments of Anti – Federalists Destroy Liberty President – Too much power Large Republic cant be free Separation of Powers cant happen

Alexander Hamilton (1757-1804 ) James Madison (1751- 1836) John Jay (1745- 1829)

Anti-Federalist Federalism will Destroy Liberty “…It might be here shewn, that the power in the federal legislative, to raise and support armies at pleasure, as well in peace as in war, and their controul over the militia, tend, not only to a consolidation of the government, but the destruction of liberty…” - Brutus

Anti-Federalist President will have too much power “… In the first place the office of president of the United States appears to me to be clothed with such powers as are dangerous...an elective king…to lay the foundation for a military government, which is the worst of all tyrannies…” - An Old Whig

Anti-Federalist Large Republics Cannot be Free“ In so extensive a republic, the great officers of government would soon become above the controul of the people...They will use the power, when they have acquired it, to the purposes of gratifying their own interest and ambition...”

Anti-Federalist Separation of Powers is an Illusion Such various, extensive, and important powers combined in one body of men, are inconsistent with all freedom… "when the legislative and executive powers are united in the same person, or in the same body of magistrates, there can be no liberty…"

Arguments of the Federalist The Federalist Papers

Large Federal Republic (10) Federalist Large Federal Republic (10) In a federal republic, power is divided vertically between a general (federal) government and state governments. Two levels of government, each supreme in its own sphere, can exercise powers separately and directly on the people.

Federalist Republicanism (10) A republican government is one "in which the scheme of representation takes place." It is based on the consent of the governed because power is delegated to a small number of citizens who are elected by the rest.

Federalist Separation of Powers (51) Executive: Power to appoint judges, sole power to wage war Legislative: Power to write laws, sole power to declare war Judicial: Sole power to interpret the law and apply it to particular disputes

Federalist Bill of Rights (84) The Federalist papers are remarkable for their opposition to what later became the United States Bill of Rights (first 10 amendments) ... many people feared that this would later be interpreted as a list of the only rights that people had.

Why the Federalist Won Fear United around a plan Well organized Articles too weak Economic Problems Shay’s Rebellion United around a plan Anti – Feds: No alternate Well organized Communicated with each other (Federalist Papers) George Washington People knew he would be president