The Constitution of the United States
Outline the Differences between the former Articles of Confederation and its
predecessor, The Constitution of the United States:
Articles of Confederation
Constitution of the United States
Federalist and Anti-Federalists
Federalists – supported the new
Constitution and argued for a strong
national government. Most notable
supporters were Alexander
Hamilton, James Madison and
John Jay. Together, they wrote a
series of essays called the Federalist
Papers, published in newspapers,
that were designed to win support for
the new system of government.
Anti-Federalists – they opposed the
new constitution for a variety of
reasons. They felt that a new central
government would undermine the
power of the individual states. Many felt that it was a betrayal of the idea of liberty
that they had fought so hard for during the revolution.
Insuring Individual Rights
One Federalist strategy to win over several initially reluctant states was a promise to
amend the Constitution by including a Bill of Rights that would limit the powers of
the federal government over individual people and states. By June of 1789, Congress
began considering 10 amendments (changes) to the constitution, which were
ultimately passed and became known as the Bill of Rights.
Glorious Afterthought: The Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights is a set of the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution. Distilled within the Bill of Rights is what
most people would consider the very essence of all that is most valuable in the idea of the United States of
America. Some Americans believed the Constitution did not protect their rights. They wanted their rights listed in
the Constitution. Ten Amendments (changes or additions), called the Bill of Rights, were added to the
Constitution in 1791. Freedom of speech, religion, and the press; the right to a jury trial; and other rights were
now guaranteed, or protected, under the Constitution.
Also included in the Constitution was the right of states to have their own governments. The states would be able
to manage many of their own affairs. In the federal system of government, the power to govern is divided
between the central government and the state governments. This division of power was a bold new experiment in
government.
Amendment
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10
Description