The Constitutional Convention

The Constitutional Convention

Learning Target: "I can analyze the competing arguments of the Federalist and Anti-federalist debate by identifying and contrasting their core claims on the graphic organizer."

Here is a list of essential vocabulary terms and definitions for the Federalist vs. Anti-federalist debate, suitable for your handout.

Key Players & Core Ideas

• Federalist: A person who supported the ratification (approval) of the U.S. Constitution and favored a strong national (or central) government.

• Anti-federalist: A person who opposed the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. They feared a strong national government would threaten state power and individual rights, and they demanded a Bill of Rights.

• Ratification: The official process of approving the Constitution or an amendment to it.

• Constitution: The document outlining the fundamental principles and structure of a government.

• Republic: A system of government where citizens elect representatives to make laws and decisions on their behalf (also called a representative democracy).

• Sovereignty: The supreme power or authority to govern. The central debate was whether sovereignty should rest with the states (Anti-federalists) or be shared with the national government (Federalists).

• Tyranny: Cruel, unreasonable, or arbitrary use of power by a government; the primary fear of the Anti-federalists.

Vocabulary from the Federalist 10 Quote

• Small republic: The ideal favored by Anti-federalists, arguing that government is only possible in a small territory where representatives are close to and understand the will of the people.

• Large republic: The ideal favored by Federalists (like James Madison), arguing that a large territory with many different interests would make it difficult for any single group (or "faction") to dominate and take over.

• Vicious arts: Deceitful, corrupt, or manipulative methods used to win elections.

• Suffrages: The right to vote, or the votes themselves.

• Merit: The quality of being good, worthy, or deserving of a position based on ability and character.

• Diffusive: Widespread; spread out. (In the quote, "most diffusive and established characters" means people with a widespread and well-known positive reputation).

Key Concepts in the Debate

• Faction: A group of citizens (either a minority or majority) united by a common interest or passion that is often opposed to the rights of other citizens or the overall public good. Federalist 10 is entirely about how to control the dangers of factions.

• Bill of Rights: The first ten amendments to the Constitution, which list specific protections for individual liberties (like freedom of speech and religion). This was the Anti-federalists' biggest demand.

• Supremacy Clause: The clause in Article VI of the Constitution stating that federal law is the "supreme Law of the Land" and overrides state laws when in conflict. This was a major fear for Anti-federalists.

• Necessary and Proper Clause: The clause in Article I, Section 8, that gives Congress the power to make any laws "necessary and proper" for carrying out its listed powers. Anti-federalists called this the "Elastic Clause," fearing it gave Congress unlimited power.

Historical Background: The Constitutional Convention is over!

Now the real battle begins: RATIFICATION! In order for the new Constitution to be adopted, 9 states must ratify it. Some individuals campaigned for its ratification by publishing the Federalist Papers. Others (known as the anti-federalists) published counter-arguments to prevent its ratification. Read the following excerpts from these publications. Be able to describe the differences between the points of view on the proposed Constitution and roles of government. Consider what events may have influenced or inspired these viewpoints.

Anti-federalist Argument	Federalist Papers Argument
“A republican or free government can only exist where the body of the people are virtuous and where property is pretty equally divided; in such a government the people are the sovereign and their sense or opinion is the criterion of every public measure. When this ceases to be the case, the nature of the government is changed, and an aristocracy, monarchy, or despotism will rise on its ruin.” -Centinel Letter I (October 5 1787)	“The passions, therefore, not the reason, of the public would sit in judgement. But it is the reason, alone, of the public, that ought to control and regulate the government. The passions ought to be controlled and regulated by the government.” -Federalist 49
1.     Describe one difference between these two arguments. 2.     Describe one historical development or event that may have contributed to the anti-federalist argument.

Anti-federalist Argument	Federalist Papers Argument
“It is the opinion of the greatest writers that a very extensive country cannot be governed on democratic principles, on any other plan, than a confederation of a number of small republics possessing all the powers of internal government but united in the management of their foreign and general concerns”. -Centinel Letter I (October 5 1787)	“In the next place, as each representative will be chosen by a greater number of citizens in the large than in the small republic, it will be more difficult for unworthy candidates to practice with success the vicious arts by which elections are too often carried; and the suffrages of the people being more free, will be more likely to centre in men who possess the most attractive merit and the most diffusive and established characters.” -Federalist 10
1.     Describe one difference between these two arguments.

Anti-federalist Argument	Federalist Papers Argument
“The territory of the United States is of vast extent; it now contains near three million souls, and is capable of containing more than ten times that number. Is it practicable for a country, so large and so numerous as they will soon become, to elect a representation that will speak their sentiments without their becoming so numerous as to be incapable of transacting public business? It certainly is not.” -Brutus Essay I (October 18 1787)	?
1.     Create an argument that the Federalist Paper writer would most likely make to counter the above anti-federalist argument.

Anti-federalist Argument	Federalist Papers Argument
“A power to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution all powers vested by the constitution in the government of the United States of any department or officer thereof, is a power very comprehensive and definite and may, for ought I know, be exercised in such a manner as entirely to abolish the state legislatures.” -Brutus Essay I (October 18 1787)	“The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite.” -Federalist 45
1.     Describe one difference between these two arguments. 2.     Explain one historical development or event that can be attributed to the Federalist Papers argument.

Anti-federalist Argument	Federalist Papers Argument
“The legislative power is competent to lay taxes duties, imposts, and excises...They are the sole judges or what is necessary to provide for the common defense, and they only are to determine what is for the general welfare.” -Brutus Essay I (October 18 1787)	“Government ought to be clothed will all the powers requisite to complete execution of its trust” -Federalist 23
1.     Describe one difference between these two arguments.

Anti-federalist Argument	Federalist Papers Argument
“It appears from these articles (of the Constitution) that there is no need of any intervention of the state governments between the Congress and the people to execute any one power vested in the general government, and that the constitution and laws of every state are nullified and declared void.” -Brutus Essay I (October 18 1787)	“The essential characteristic of [confederacy] is said to be the restriction of its authority to the members in their collective capacities, without reaching to the individuals of whom they are composed.” -Federalist 9
1.     Describe one difference between these two arguments.