17A: Arguments of the Federalists vs. Antifederalists
What is the US Constitution?
"the supreme law of the land" in the US. Written in 1787 at the Constitutional Convention to replace Articles of Confederation & create a stronger central government. Outlines structure & power of 3 branches of national government.
Who were key leaders of the Federalists?
Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, & John Jay
Who were the key leaders of the Anti-Federalists?
Patrick Henry & George Mason
Federalist Papers
Series of 83 essays written by Hamilton, Jay, & Madison to CONVINCE PEOPLE TO SUPPORT RATIFICATION of the U.S. Constitution
Which group favored states' rights over federal rights?
The Anti-Federalists
Which group supported the addition of the Bill of Rights to the Constitution & why?
The Anti-Federalists because they wanted to protect the rights of citizens and states.
Which group opposed the addition of the Bill of Rights to the Constitution & why?
The Federalists because they feared any rights listed would be seen as the ONLY rights people had.
Why did the Federalists want a strong central government?
They believed a strong federal government was needed to protect the country to smooth over domestic issues and fight off foreign invasion.
Why did the Anti-Federalists oppose a strong national government?
They believed the Constitution gave the national government too much power & it would not protect the individual rights of Americans.
Observations on the New Constitution
a book that was written by Mercy Otis Warren to support the Anti-Federalist argument that the Constitution did NOT PROTECT THE INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
What was the English Bill of Rights?
the document that outlined individual rights of citizens in England & was used as the MODEL FOR THE US CONSTITUTION
Bill of Rights
the first 10 amendments to the Constitution that outline individual rights added so that the Anti-Federalists would agree to ratify the US Constitution
Who were the Federalists?
the group who argued in favor of ratification of the Constitution because it created a STRONG CENTRAL GOVERNMENT that would replace the loose confederation of states established by the Articles of Confederation.
Anti-Federalists
the group who opposed ratification of the Constitution because they feared a strong central government would abuse its power & believed states + individual rights WERE NOT protected
ratify
to approve, give formal approval to, confirm
