Anti-Federalists v. Federalists

1. Anti-Federalists v. Federalists

2. Why did the Framers want the people to ratify the Constitution? • The Constitution was far from perfect – the entire four months that the Framers spent creating it were filled with disagreements • A few delegates walked out of the meeting, other refused to sign the document • James Madison was worried that the Constitution would be rejected if Congress or state legislatures were asked to ratify it • Ratify = approve

3. Why did the Framers want the people to ratify the Constitution? • Because the people were going to be asked to follow the Constitution, they needed to approve it • In order for the Constitution to be accepted, nine states needed to ratify the document • The Framers were afraid that they wouldn’t be able to get all 13 states to ratify the document

4. The Federalists • Supported the ratification of the Constitution • Asked the states to organize ratifying conventions as quickly as possible • In order to support their view, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay wrote a series of articles for a New York Newspaper • Collectively, they were known as The Federalist Papers • The collection remains the most important explanation of the constitutional government ever written

5. The Anti-Federalists • Opposed the ratification of the Constitution • Leaders included: George Mason, Edmund Randolph and Elbridge Gerry • Attended the convention and refused to sign it • John Hancock, Samuel Adams and Richard Henry Lee – all signed the Declaration – but refused to sign the Constitution

6. The Anti-Federalists • Most Americans were very suspicious of government • Anti-Federalists were especially suspicious of government in general and a strong national government in particular. • This mistrust was the basis of their opposition to the Constitution • They believed it would be a threat to their natural rights

7. The Debates • Debates in the states lasted ten months • They were intense and sometimes bitter political struggles • The most intense arguments were about three basic issues: • Whether the Constitution would maintain republican government (for the people) • Whether the national government would have too much power • Whether the Bill of Rights was needed in the Constitution

8. Does the national government have too much power? Anti Federalists • National govt. has too much power – the states have too little • The army that is raised by the government could go against the people • Supremacy clause – national govt. is superior to states’ laws – it will destroy the states • Too much power to the executive branch • Bottom line: The national government has too much power! Federalists • The Articles had a weak national government and it didn’t work! • The Constitution provides protections for states. Any power not listed in the Constitution will be up to the states. • A strong executive branch is necessary – Congress has checks on the use of power by the executive branch • The executive branch can never become a monarchy • Each branch is separate and balanced – no branch can dominate the others.

9. Does the Constitution provide for republican government? Anti Federalists • Republican governments have only worked in small communities with similar wealth and values – the country is too large and diverse • Free government requires the active participation – the government is too far away from most people • The government will only be able to rule with military force Federalists • People do not work for the common good – a large republic with powers divided between national and state governments are in the best interest of the people • There are too many limits on the government to create chaos, tyranny • The government is protecting the people – and it will get the respect of the people.

10. Is the Bill of Rights needed for the Constitution? Anti-Federalists • A bill of rights is necessary to protect people against the power of the national government • There is no mention of freedom of religion, speech, press or assembly • If they aren’t written, the government can violate them Federalists • A bill of rights is not needed • The Constitution is the ultimate protection for people’s rights and the people are the ultimate sovereigns. • The Constitution has limitedpower • If a bill of rights is included, the people can expect protection only for the rights listed.

11. Compromise & Ratification • The Federalists agreed to a Bill of Rights in order to get enough support for the Constitution to it would be ratified • They agreed when the first Congress was held, they would draft a Bill of Rights • The Constitution was officially adopted on September 17, 1787 • 40 of the original 55 delegates signed the document