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Mar 3, 2015 · According to the AP® Central on the College Board’s website, an essay that received an 8-9 on the old APUSH exam (pre-2014-2015) had a thesis that contained a clear definition as to why the Antifederalists opposed the ratification of the Constitution.
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- Unit overview
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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?
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Apr 22, 2023 · The Anti-Federalist Party opposed the creation of a stronger national government and sought to leave the Articles of Confederation, the predecessor of the Constitution, intact. They believed in stronger state governments and more direct democracy.
- Randal Rust
Definition: is a model of democracy in which no single group dominates politics and organized groups compete with each other to influence policy.
Nov 21, 2023 · The core difference between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists was that the Federalists pursued a stronger centralized government while Anti-Federalists advocated for a...
All Key Terms. AP US Government. Anti-Federalists. Definition. Anti-Federalists were those who opposed the creation of a stronger U.S. federal government and which later opposed the ratification of the 1787 Constitution. Analogy.
