Name:
ANTI-FEDERALISTS
Part A: Read pgs. 84-85 and answer the following questions:
1. What ideas did the older Americans grow up believing within republicanism?
2. Would the new Constitution maintain a republican government?
3. Would the federal government have too much power?
4. Was a Bill of Rights needed in the Constitution? Explain!
5. What additional points did the Anti-Federalists dislike about the Constitution?
6. What did the Anti-Federalists believe were the only ways to set up a safe
government?
Part B: Read “Should there be a Bill of Rights?”
-
This was the strongest argument the Anti-Federalists had in opposition to the
Constitution. They believed that:
o Federal government was too far removed from the people and could use its
power to violate citizen’s rights; therefore, it needed a Bill of Rights
o The powers of the federal government were so general and vague that the
government had almost unlimited power
o Some rights were not included in the Constitution (religion, speech, press,
assembly) so there was nothing to stop the federal government from
violating these rights
1. After reading the following ideas, summarize why the Anti-Federalists demanded
a Bill of Rights in the Constitution.
2. In your opinion, do you think the Constitution should add a Bill of Rights?
Explain!
Part C: After reading the entire section on Anti-Federalists, answer questions 1 – 4 from
the “What do you think?” section on page 86.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Part D: To review, fill in the Anti-Federalist column. Once the entire class has discussed,
you will be able to fill in the Federalist column.
Beliefs
Ideas
Opinions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
ANTI-FEDERALISTS
FEDERALISTS
Name:
FEDERALISTS
Part A: Read pgs. 87-88 and answer the following questions:
1. Why were many members of Congress and state governments against the
Constitution? How were the Federalists going to get around this argument?
2. How was the Federalists’ plan an example of social contract?
3. How were the Federalists ahead of the Anti-Federalists?
4. What was The Federalist? What did it convince people to do?
5. How were the Federalists able to convince people to support their position? (List
the three ways!)
Part B: Read “How did the Federalists respond to the Anti-Federalists?” For each
statement of Anti-Federalist concern, you are going to back it up with the Federalists
opinions. Summarize the Federalist viewpoint in your own words!
1. A republican government is the most effective because citizens are taught to
practice civil virtue. (Civil Virtue: citizens had to be willing to set aside their
interests for the common good)
Federalist Response:
2. The Constitution gives too much power to the executive branch of the government
at expense of the other branches.
Federalist Response:
3. The national government has too much power over the state governments.
Federalist Response:
4. There should be a bill of rights in the Constitution.
Federalist Response:
Part C: After reading the entire section on Federalists, answer questions 1 – 3 from the
“What do you think?” section on page 90.
1.
2.
3.
Part D: To review, fill in the Federalist column. Once the entire class has discussed, you
will be able to fill in the Anti-Federalist column.
Beliefs
Ideas
Opinions
1.
ANTI-FEDERALISTS
2.
3.
4.
5.
FEDERALISTS