Question

Use the except from an antifederalist writing on the U.S. Constitution’s division of power between the national and state governments to answer the question. “It might be here shewn, that the power in the federal legislative, to raise and support armies at pleasure, as well in peace as in war, and their control over the militia, tend, not only to a consolidation of the government, but the destruction of liberty. —I shall not, however, dwell upon these, as a few observations upon the judicial power of this government, in addition to the preceding, will fully evince the truth of the position....” Which Republican argument would this most likely support? (1 point) Responses The presence of a strong national army would protect the United States against international anarchy. The presence of a strong national army would protect the United States against international anarchy. A reliance on elites is needed to decide the issues of national military power and the economy. A reliance on elites is needed to decide the issues of national military power and the economy. Alliances with European countries, such as Great Britain, are important. Alliances with European countries, such as Great Britain, are important. The importance of str

Answer 1

The argument made in the excerpt is that the federal power to raise and support armies can lead to the consolidation of government power and threaten individual liberties. This aligns most closely with the concern regarding a strong national army potentially undermining liberty. Therefore, the response that the excerpt most likely supports is:

The presence of a strong national army would protect the United States against international anarchy.

This response highlights a counterargument suggesting that while a strong army may threaten individual liberties, it can also serve to protect the nation from external threats, reflecting the tension between the need for security and the preservation of individual rights. However, if strictly interpreting the Antifederalist perspective in the provided excerpt, one might more accurately argue that it reflects a fear of a strong national military rather than support for it.