Unit 2, Chapter 4
Federalist and Anti Federalist Papers
Part I: Directions: For each excerpt from a Federalist or Anti Federalist Paper:
1. Summarize the excerpt in your own words (2 pts)
2. Tell if the excerpt came from a Federalist or Anti Federalist Paper (1 pt)
3. If there is a term you do not understand, you might have to look it up. Example: “the right of soil”
Excerpt #1: Congress has employed thirteen commissioners, at 1500 dollars per annum, as I am informed, to settle the
public accounts, and we know now no more what the national debt is, than at the first moment of their appointment. Nor
do we know any more what is the amount of the annual expenses of the federal government, than we do of the empire of
China. To grant therefore such an ample power of taxation, and the right of soil, to the amount of millions, upon the
recommendation of this honorable Convention, without either knowing the amount of the national debt, or the annual
expenses of government, would not argue, in my opinion, the highest degree of prudence.
Translate in your own words:
Federalist or Anti-Federalist paper:
Excerpt #2: IT HAS been already observed that the federal government ought to possess the power of providing for the
support of the national forces; in which proposition was intended to be included the expense of raising troops, of building
and equipping fleets, and all other expenses in any wise connected with military arrangements and operations. But these
are not the only objects to which the jurisdiction of the Union, in respect to revenue, must necessarily be empowered to
extend. It must embrace a provision for the support of the national civil list; for the payment of the national debts
contracted, or that may be contracted; and, in general, for all those matters which will call for disbursements out of the
national treasury. The conclusion is, that there must be interwoven, in the frame of the government, a general power of
taxation, in one shape or another.
Translate in your own words:
Federalist or Anti-Federalist paper:
Excerpt #3: To THE powers proposed to be conferred upon the federal government, in respect to the creation and
direction of the national forces, I have met with but one specific objection, which, if I understand it right, is this, that
proper provision has not been made against the existence of standing armies in time of peace; an objection which, I shall
now endeavor to show, rests on weak and unsubstantial foundations.
Translate in your own words:
Federalist or Anti-Federalist paper:
Excerpt #4: The idea of consolidation is further kept up in the right given to regulate trade. Though this power under
certain limitations would be a proper one for the department of Congress, it is in this system carried much too far, and
much farther than is necessary. This is, without exception, the most commercial state upon the continent. Our extensive
coasts, cold climate, small estates, and equality of rights, with a variety of subordinate and concurring circumstances,
place us in this respect at the head of the Union. We must, therefore, be indulged if a point which so nearly relates to our
welfare be rigidly examined. The new constitution not only prohibits vessels, bound from one state to another, from
paying any duties, but even from entering and clearing. The only use of such a regulation is, to keep each state in complete
ignorance of its own resources. It certainly is no hardship to enter and clear at the custom house, and the expense is too
small to be an object.
The unlimited right to regulate trade, includes the right of granting exclusive charters. This, in all old countries, is
considered as one principal branch of prerogative. We find hardly a country in Europe which has not felt the ill effects of
such a power .
Translate in your own words:
Federalist or Anti-Federalist paper:
Excerpt #5: The judicial power of the United States is to be vested in a supreme court, and in such inferior courts as
Congress may, from time to time, ordain and establish. The powers of these courts are very extensive; their jurisdiction
comprehends all civil causes, except such as arise between citizens of the same State; and it extends to all cases in law and
equity arising under the Constitution. One inferior court must be established, I presume, in each State, at least, with the
necessary executive officers appendant thereto. It is easy to see, that in the common course of things, these courts will
eclipse the dignity, and take away from the respectability, of the State courts. These courts will be, in themselves, totally
independent of the States, deriving their authority from the United States, and receiving from them fixed salaries; and in
the course of human events it is to be expected that they will swallow up all the powers of the courts in the respective
States.
Translate in your own words:
Federalist or Anti-Federalist paper:
Excerpt #6: Nothing is more certain than the indispensable necessity of government, and it is equally undeniable, that
whenever and however it is instituted, the people must cede to it some of their natural rights in order to vest it with
requisite powers. It is well worthy of consideration therefore, whether it would conduce more to the interest of the
people of America that they should, to all general purposes, be one nation, under one federal government, or that they
should divide themselves into separate confederacies, and give to the head of each the same kind of powers which they
are advised to place in one national government.
Translate in your own words:
Federalist or Anti-Federalist paper:
Part 2: Directions: Put an “F” for Federalist or “A” for Anti Federalist in the line next to each item. (1
pt)
1.
______
James Madison
2.
______
a strong federal government will take away the power from the states
3.
______
Brutus
4.
______
a standing army created by Congress is needed at all times, including during times of peace
5.
______
despises the “necessary and proper” clause (The Elastic Clause)
6.
______
Alexander Hamilton
7.
______
a strong federal government is needed to regulate interstate commerce
8.
______
the new Constitution will lead us right back to the times when Britain oppressed our rights
9.
______
Cato
10. ______
wanted a Bill of Rights added to the Constitution
Part 3: Write a 2 paragraph Federalist OR Anti Federalist Paper. (10 pts)