Unit Two Constitution
Benchmark - C.1.8 Explain the viewpoints of the Federalists
and the Anti-federalists regarding the ratification of the
Constitution and inclusion of a bill of rights.
Terms to add to your vocab rings
• Ratify – formally approving something (The rat says yea!)
• Bill of Rights - the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, establishing
rights and protections for American citizens
• Federalism - a system of government that divides power between a central
government and smaller units of government, such as state or local governments
• Federalists - a group of people in the early United States who wanted a strong
national government
• Anti-Federalists - a group of people in the early United States who opposed a
strong national government because they wanted protection for individual rights
• Federalist Papers - a series of essays written to explain and defend the
proposed U.S. Constitution
• Anti-Federalist Papers - a series of essays written to counter and defeat the
proposed U.S. Constitution
Learning Targets
• I can define ratification
• I can explain who the Anti-Federalists were.
• I can explain what the Anti-Federalists papers were.
• I can explain the viewpoints of the Anti-Federalists regarding the
ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
• I can explain who the Federalists were.
• I can explain what the Federalists papers were.
• I can explain the viewpoints of the Federalists regarding the ratification
of the U.S. Constitution.
• I can explain the Anti-Federalists’ reasons for wanting to include of a
bill of rights in the U.S. Constitution.
Materials Needed- Update Table of
Contents with the following:
Page 6 Federalist and Anti-Federalist Reading
Worksheet
Page 7 Positions of Federalist and Anti-Federalist
Worksheet with Venn Diagram
Page 8 Classifying Quotes
Why a Bill of Rights? What Impact Does
It Have?
• Skim the reading page first and highlight any
unfamiliar words.
• Clarify the meaning of the unfamiliar words
• Now read the worksheet closely keeping the
positions of the Federalist and Anti-Federalist in
mind underlining points they both agree on.
What do They Want?
• Federalist - a strong central government
• Anti-Federalist – a weak central government
• Both – a central government and protection for
individual rights
Partner Work - Understanding Positions
of Federalists and Anti-Federalists
• Complete the Understanding Positions of
Federalists and Anti-Federalist Worksheet with
Venn Diagram on the back
Who Would Say That?
Federalist
Anti-Federalist
Yay for Strong
Central Government!
Down with Strong
Central Government!
Who Would Say That?
The Constitution gives the federal government
enough power to overpower the states.
Federalists
Anti-Federalists
Who Would Say That?
It will not be possible for the federal government
to overpower the states, because the states are a
necessary part of the federal government.
Federalists
Anti-Federalists
Who Would Say That?
The Constitution contains no Bill of Rights to
protect individual liberties like freedom of
speech, trial by jury, and the right against
searches and seizures.
Federalists
Anti-Federalists
Who Would Say That?
The Constitution says federal laws are “the
supreme law of the land,” so the federal
government could just take complete control.
Federalists
Anti-Federalists
Who Would Say That?
Nothing in the Constitution says the federal
government has power to limit peoples’ freedoms
in the first place.
Federalists
Anti-Federalists
Who Would Say That?
The Constitution gives the federal government just
a few powers that are very well defined.
Federalists
Anti-Federalists
Who Would Say That?
The President created by the Constitution is really
just a king.
Federalists
Anti-Federalists
Who Would Say That?
A strong President is necessary to protect the
country against foreign attack and make sure
laws are carried out properly.
Federalists
Anti-Federalists
Who Would Say That?
The Constitution creates a Supreme Court that is
too powerful because the judges don’t answer to
anyone.
Federalists
Anti-Federalists
Who Would Say That?
The Constitution already contains a few rights, so
we may as well add a whole Bill of Rights.
Federalists
Anti-Federalists
Who Would Say That?
The Supreme Court is the weakest branch of
government because it doesn’t control the
military and can’t pass laws.
Federalists
Anti-Federalists
Who Would Say That?
The Constitution forbids creating titles of nobility
like “Duke” or “King,” so the government will
always belong to the people.
Federalists
Anti-Federalists
Who Would Say That?
The United States is too large to have a central
government. People won’t know their leaders
and will lose control over the government.
Federalists
Anti-Federalists
Who Would Say That?
The Constitution is a Bill of Rights because it
guarantees citizens a role in government
Federalists
Anti-Federalists
Classifying Quotes
• Now try it by yourself or with your partner.
• On your Classifying Quotes worksheet read each
quote and circle either F for Federalist or AF
for Anti-Federalist
• Once complete, we will review together for
accuracy
Who Would Say That?
“I do not conceive we can exist long as a nation
without having…a power which will pervade
(be present and spread through) the whole
Union….”
Federalists
Anti-Federalists
Who Would Say That?
“The State Declarations of Rights are not
repealed (revoked or canceled) by this
Constitution; and being in force are sufficient.”
Federalists
Anti-Federalists
Who Would Say That?
“The laws of the general government being
paramount (more important than anything
else) to the laws and constitutions of the several
states, the Declaration of Rights in the separate
states are no security.”
Federalists
Anti-Federalists
Who Would Say That?
“The vigor (strength) of government is essential
to the security of liberty.”
Federalists
Anti-Federalists
Who Would Say That?
“…State Legislatures have no security for the
powers now presumed to remain to them, or the
People for their Rights.”
Federalists
Anti-Federalists
Who Would Say That?
“There is no Declaration of any kind for
preserving the Liberty of the Press, the Trial by
Jury in civil Causes; nor against the Danger of
standing Armies in time of Peace…”
Federalists
Anti-Federalists
Who Would Say That?
“Repeated violations of these parchment
barriers (weak obstacles) have been committed
by overbearing majorities (dominant group)
in every State.”
Federalists
Anti-Federalists
Who Would Say That?
“A bill of rights is what the people are entitled to
against every government on earth, general or
particular, and what no just government should
refuse or rest on inference.”
Federalists
Anti-Federalists
C.1.8 Writing Prompt
▫ Explain the viewpoints of the Federalists and the AntiFederalists regarding the ratification of the Constitution and
the inclusion of a bill of rights.
▫ Use your reading worksheet to ACE the answer.
A – Answer the question
C – Cite evidence
E – Explain your answer