The Federalists and the Anti-Federalists
It is not difficult to look back and see the need for a new Constitution. However, at the time the Constitution was presented for ratification to the states, opposition was strong. The nation divided into two camps, the Federalists in favor of ratification and the Anti-federalists, who were opposed to the Constitution. The Anti-federalists opposed a strong central government. They feared it would deny people their rights. Federalists pointed to the problems under the Articles of Confederation to justify the need for a more powerful central government and expressed confidence that the structure of the government was so contrived that it would protect rights. In the tutorial, you have the opportunity to interview a federalist and an anti-federalist about their views on the proposed Constitution.
Both sides argued their case in a series of newspaper editorials. In the Federalist papers, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay argued for the Constitution. In Federalists 47, 48 and 51, James Madison explains how the structure of the government will protect liberty.
Journal: The Federalist Papers 10 points
You will be reading excerpts from these editorials in the following activity. The eighteenth century English is difficult reading, so the language has been broken down for you into a question and answer format. Use this reading guide as you read through the selections to help you understand them.
Once you’ve completed the reading guide, answer the following questions in your journal for this section.
Use the journal form provided to complete this assignment.
In Federalist 47, 48 and 51 Madison wrote of structures in the Constitution designed to protect liberty.
- Explain how Separation of Powers is achieved in the new Constitution. What devices are included to maintain this separation?
- Why are checks and balances included in the Constitution? On what "defect" in human nature do they rely?
- How is federalism a tool for the protection against "majority tyranny" and therefore a protection for the minority?
- Critical Analysis: The British do not have Separation of Powers. The executive is part of the legislature and of the same party, so they work together. Why will policy making be difficult and slow in the system of separation of powers? Is this good or bad?
Please submit your journal entry to the Journal: The Federalist Papers assignment link in the M1 Tasks Folder.
