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- The Antifederalists believed that there should be something stating the basic rights and liberties sanctioned to each citizen. Antifederalists also feared that a centralized government would soon become too controlling and abuse the powers assigned to it, such as the power of taxation.
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Mar 3, 2015 · Understanding the opposing views of the Federalists and the Antifederalists is vital to studying AP® US History. After all, these two groups were who ultimately forged our nation and who created the basis for today’s two-party political system. Now let’s dive into what the Federalist vs. Antifederalist division was all about.
- Overview
- Unit overview
- Key documents and cases from this unit
- Key takeaways from this unit
- Review questions
A summary of the important terms, documents, and concepts in this unit.
This unit introduced some of the foundational ideas of US government, and the origins of debates about government that remain with us today. For example, what is the best way to preserve individuals’ rights and liberties while still maintaining order in society? Should everyone participate in government, or just the highly-educated or wealthy? How much power should government have, and how can we keep government power from getting out of hand? Which level of government should have the most power: states or the federal government?
These questions, and the shifting answers to them over time, form the basis of political debate in American government.
Articles of Confederation — The first government system of the United States, which lasted from 1776 until 1789. The Articles placed most power in the hands of state governments.
Bill of Rights — The first ten amendments to the US Constitution, which explicitly protected individual liberties such as freedom of speech.
Brutus No. 1 (1787) — An Anti-Federalist essay, which argued against a strong central government based on the belief that it would not be able to meet the needs of all US citizens.
Constitution (1787) — The fundamental laws and principles that govern the United States.
Federalist No. 10 (1787) — An essay written by James Madison, which argued that a strong representative government would be able to control the effects of factions.
Federalist No. 51 (1788) — An essay written by James Madison that explained how the structure of the new government under the Constitution would provide the necessary checks and balances to keep the government from becoming too powerful.
The birth of the Constitution: The first government system of the United States, the Articles of Confederation, had a weak national government due to concerns about centralized power stemming from the American colonies’ experiences with the British monarchy. The US Constitution sought to remedy the weaknesses of the Articles without giving the central government so much power that it would become tyrannical. Passing the Constitution, however, required many compromises, such as the inclusion of the Electoral College and a dual system of representation in Congress. These compromises have had far-reaching consequences that still affect government in the United States today.
Balancing state and federal power: The proper balance of power between the federal government and state governments has been a source of ongoing negotiation since the beginning. In some instances, federal power has been enhanced at the expense of state power, such as the ruling in the case McCulloch v. Maryland that federal laws are supreme over state laws. But federal power is limited, and the Supreme Court has also ruled that the government has overstepped its authority in cases such as US v. Lopez.
Balancing liberty and order: From the beginning, the US government has attempted to balance individual rights and liberties with the government power necessary to, as the Constitution puts it, “establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, [and] provide for the common defense.” The Framers passed the Bill of Rights after the ratification of the Constitution as a safeguard for individual liberties.
Complex policymaking processes: The structure of US government established in the Constitution purposely makes policymaking complicated, requiring various branches, institutions, and individuals to work together to accomplish goals. It deliberately places parts of government at odds with one another so that they rein each other in. These measures help to ensure that the people’s will is represented by permitting many people to influence the policymaking process, as well as preserving freedom by limiting the power of government.
What aspects of US government, as described in the foundational documents, promote individual liberty? What aspects promote order and public safety?
Name three measures the Framers took to ensure that government power is limited and that the people’s will is carried out.
Which of the compromises made at the Constitutional Convention do you think was the most important? Why?
Did the Framers intend for ordinary people or for elites to have more influence in government? Provide two pieces of evidence to support your position.
The balance of power between the federal government and state governments has shifted over time. What caused those shifts? Do you think the balance of power at present is shifting more towards the states or towards the federal government? Why?
[Notes and attributions]
Jan 29, 2023 · Brutus 1 (FOUNDATIONAL DOCUMENT), on the other hand, argued the Anti-Federalist perspective. Brutus argued for a small, decentralized government, noting that a large republic would not be able to meet the needs of its citizens, since each part of the nation would have vastly different interests and needs.
Purpose: American political beliefs are shaped by founding ideals, core values, and the changing demographics of the citizenry. These beliefs about government, politics, and the individual’s role in the political system influence the creation of ideological trends that span decades impacting public policies.
Aug 5, 2018 · Description. This video clip explains who the Anti- Federalists were and what beliefs they held that challenged the creation of a strong central government. This bell...
Jul 13, 2018 · The Anti-Federalist perspective is the historical and philosophical legacy for those who most emphasize the important role of state and local government within the federal system, the ideal of self-government for and by a citizenry, and the principle of strict construction in interpreting the U.S. Constitution.
“Anti-Federalist” describes the philosophical and political position of individuals who, during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and the subsequent state ratification debates (1787–89), generally opposed the constitution proposed to replace the Articles of Confederation.
