ratifying the constitution

Question 1

What are federalists/what did they believe in?

Answer 1

• Supporters of the constitution
• Believed in a strong central government
• Insisted that division of powers/system of checks and balances would protect US from the tyranny of centralized authority

Question 2

Who are the leading supporters/federalists?

Answer 2

George Washington, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay

Question 3

What are anti-federalists/what did they believe in?

Answer 3

• Opposed a strong central government
• Against constitution
• Countered with list of possible abuses of power of a strong central government:

a. Would serve the interests of the privileged minority

b. Would ignore rights of the majority

c. Doubted a single government could manage the affairs of a large country

d. Constitution’s lack of protection for individual rights

e. Felt states lost a lot of power

Question 4

Who were leading non-supporters/anti-federalists?

Answer 4

Patrick Henry, Sam Adams, Richard Henry Lee, and Elbridge Gerry

Question 5

What are the federalist papers?

Answer 5

• Pro - constitution writings
• 85 essays in NY newspapers 1787-1788
• Published by signature “Publius”
• Written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and
  John Jay

Question 6

What is ratification/what does ratifying mean?

Answer 6

Approval/confirming something by vote

Question 6

Why was the Bill of Rights needed according to anti-federalists?

Answer 6

The Constitution weakened states, and they needed something in central government to protect individual rights

Question 7

What changed in the constitution?

Answer 7

The Bill of Rights was added