FEDERALIST VS ANTIFEDERALIST
Federalist vs Antifederalist CS8: I will: Read and identify arguments from both the Federalist and Anti- federalist regarding the reasons for their support or opposition to the ratification of the U.S. constitution Parliament Funkadelic
Ratification Debate Federalist vs. Anti-federalist To Ratify = to approve Article VII: " The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same." James Madison Alexander Hamilton John Jay James Monroe Patrick Henry
Read the dialogue from the Play Shh! We’re Writing the Constitution! Federalist Arguments Anti-federalist Arguments
What’s a “Federalist”? Supports the Constitution because it creates a stronger central government. Anti-federalist Fears the Constitution gives too much power to central government! NO BILL OF RIGHTS!
The Ratification Controversy State by State Debate and Voting Closely contested nationally during 1787 and 1788 Rejection by any of the four most prominent states- Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, or Virginia, would have doomed the Constitution.
Federalist Problem Anti-Federalists were led by “His Excellency,” Governor George Clinton. Had a vested interest in preventing the formation of a strong national government. Clinton’s popularity as “father of New York” made him a formidable rival. Hamilton realized the urgency to get the message out to NYers
Federalist Papers Collection of 85 essays justifying every aspect of the Constitution. Pseudonym: Publius Alexander Hamilton ( ) James Madison ( ) John Jay ( )
Arguments Made Federalist Arguments Anti-federalist Arguments #1 Const separates power between national and state NO NEED FOR BofR! #5 Const provides enough Checks and Balances prevent abuse of power and protect your rights NO NEED FOR BofR! BONUS: AofC are poorly created which causes people and other nations to lose faith #2 No limits on President power over military = King #3 President will have too much power to appoint aristocrats to positions = Monarchy #4 Congress power of Army (peace and times of war) will destroy liberty # 6 Our country will be too large = gov’t will be above the control of the people #7 Const does NOT protect our rights and State gov’t BofR do not protect us against the NATIONAL GOVT. We NEED a Bill of Rights
½ Sheet of Paper #1-5 Federalist or Anti-federalist?
1. In this federal republic, power is divided vertically between a general (federal) government and state governments, as well as between branches of government. These levels of government, each supreme in its own sphere, can exercise powers separately and directly on the people.
2. “… 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…” -
3. “… Wherein does this president, invested with his powers and prerogatives, essentially differ from the king…? The safety of the people in a republic depends on the share or proportion they have in the government; but experience ought to teach you, that when a man is at the head of an elective government invested with great powers, and interested in his reelection…appointments will be made by which means an imperfect aristocracy bordering on monarchy may be established
4. “…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 control over the militia, tend, not only to a consolidation of the government, but the destruction of liberty…”
“Here, in strictness, the people surrender nothing; and as they retain everything they have no need of particular reservations…Bill of rights, in the sense and to the extent in which they are contended for, are not only unnecessary in the proposed constitution, but dangerous…Why declare that things not be done which there is no power to do?...the truth is…that the Constitution is itself, in every rational sense, and to every useful purpose, a BILL OF RIGHTS 5
6. In so extensive a republic, the great officers of government would soon become above the control of the people...They will use the power, when they have acquired it, to the purposes of gratifying their own interest and ambition...”
7. paramount (above) “…There is no declaration of rights: and the laws of the central (national) government being paramount (above) to the laws and constitutions of the several states, the declaration of rights in the separate states will be no security.
“The faith, the reputation, the peace of the whole Union are thus continually at the mercy, the prejudices, the passions, and the interests of every member of which it is composed. Is it possible that foreign nations can either respect or confide in such a government? Is it possible the people of America will longer consent to trust their honor, happiness, safety, on so precarious a foundation? The Confederation…is a system so radically vicious and unsound as to admit not of amendment but by an entire change in its leading features and characters BONUS
1. Federalist SoP “power is divided vertically between a general (federal) government and state governments.” Federal Republic separates power between the National government and the states.
2. Anti-Federalist Limited Government: No Limit on Presidents power over the military which makes him like a king.
3. Anti-Federalist Limited Government President will have too much power
4. 4. Anti-Federalist Limited Government & UR Giving powers to Congress such as raising an Army will be used to destroy liberty
5. Federalist: Limited Government Const. provides enough checks and limits on the government to protect Unalienable Rights.
Limited Government & CoG Large Republics will be distant from the people’s control (consent) and will abuse their powers 6. Anti-Federalist
UR & Limited Government The Constitution does not protect liberty and since the National government is above the State governments, State Bill of Rights are not enough protection of our rights. 7. Anti-Federalist
BONUS Federalist Consent AofC poorly constructed that the people and foreign nations will lose faith in it
Essay Were the changes proposed by the constitution necessary for the survival of the union, or were they counter to the ideas of the American Revolution? 1.Start with Background information 2.State your position (Thesis). 3.Support your position with evidence from: 1.Your Notes 2.The documents. 4.Cite Documents. Ex: (Doc A) 5.Use transition words to help you move from one idea to another. Ultimately Although HoweverEven though DespiteIt is generally agreed that Make a concluding statement. 7. BONUS: Refute the opposing view!