Unit Two – Lesson 13

1. The Antifederalists Unit Two – Lesson 13

2. Why was a ratification process required? • Framers knew the Constitution angered some because it decreased the powers of the states • They also knew they could never get unanimous consent • James Madison developed a plan for RATIFICATION • 9 States conventions would be required to RATIFY the Constitution • Conventions would side-step the state legislatures, which protested the decrease in power • Delegates would be selected by direct election for the sole purpose of voting on the ratification of the Constitution • Example of the “Social Contract” – the people who would be governed by the Constitution were being asked to vote on it Article VII “ The Ratification of the Conventions of nine states, shall be sufficient for the establishment of this Constitution between the states so ratifying the same.”

3. Where/how did Americans debate the proposed constitution? • Ratification was NOT a foregone conclusion • Opposition was loud almost immediately, especially in more populated states (NY, Mass, Penn, & Virginia) • The United States had little chance of survival if any of these states left the union • Ratification occurred primarily in newspapers and pamphlets • TheANTIFEDERALISTSopened the debate by stating their objections to the Constitution (too much power to government & no BILL OF RIGHTS) • The FEDERALISTS countered with writings defending the document they had created (added needed power to the central government and included protections against abuse of power) • Both sides believed in an essentially republican idea – the use of discourse to educate the public • They drew on historical examples and more recent events to support their arguments

4. IMAGINE THE FOLLOWING • The United Nations is considering the following actions: • Taxing the nations of the world and spending the money for global welfare • A world currency created by the United Nations • UN control over international commerce • Jurisdiction over all cases involving UN members, including conflict between nations • Power to take over national armies to execute UN law • Power to make any laws they deem “necessary and proper”

5. Key Elements of the Antifederalists’ Opposition • The Antifederalists believed in the basic ideas of republicanism • The most power should be in the legislature composed of representatives elected by people • Government could only work in a small community of citizens with similar interests and beliefs (agree on “Common Good”) • A large diverse nation cannot sustain a republic • Uniform rules over a heterogeneous population with diverse economic, religious and secular beliefs, and differing traditions and customs • A large majority of the people under the rule of the government live far away from that government, making it difficult to watch over their representatives • Once a government operates at a distance, it can no longer reflect those citizen’s wishes • Such a government will resort to force rather than popular consent, needing an army and taxes • People who live in small agrarian communities possessed the virtues required in good citizens. When people live closely together, they are more likely to set aside their own interests to work for the common good

6. Antifederalists: Philosophies that shaped their objections • Antifederalists believed that the Constitution would create a government the people could not control • They believed that each branch had the potential of abuse of power • Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, Richard Henry Lee and James Monroe were the key members • ? Thomas Jefferson was away but was believed to back the Antifederalist’s point of view

7. Key Philosophical Differences • Government ruled by the educated elite with the “Common Good” in mind (FEDERALISTS) • A segment believed that governing should be done by the “elite” (somewhat like in England) with input from the people • The elite were educated beyond their own self-interest • Government by the people, near to their homes was best (ANTIFEDERALISTS) • Government should be BY THE PEOPLE in a republic • The best government would be small (state) and close

8. Key Arguments of the Antifederalists • Congress given the power to make any laws “necessary and proper” with no limitations on its powers • The powers of the states and the rights of the people could be taken from them by laws written by Congress • The President had unlimited power to grant pardons for crimes including treason. He could use the power to protect people who were doing criminal things for him • The national courts had so much power that they could overrule state courts • The checks and balances were not strong enough to prevent abuse of power by the federal government