Question

Anti-Federalists argued that
Responses

the Constitution would create a Republican government.
the Constitution would create a Republican government.

branches of government would keep each other in balance.
branches of government would keep each other in balance.

a Republic should protect people from the government and from each other.
a Republic should protect people from the government and from each other.

the Constitution would make states less powerful.
the Constitution would make states less powerful.

Answer 1

Which of these reflect Anti‑Federalist arguments?

- the Constitution would create a Republican government. — No. Federalists argued the Constitution would create a workable republican government; Anti‑Federalists doubted its republican character in practice.
- branches of government would keep each other in balance. — No. Anti‑Federalists feared the proposed separation of powers was insufficient and that the branches could consolidate power, not reliably check one another.
- a Republic should protect people from the government and from each other. — Yes (with nuance). Anti‑Federalists insisted a republic must protect individual liberty (especially from a powerful central government) and wanted safeguards (local control, a Bill of Rights) against both government oppression and dangerous factionalism.
- the Constitution would make states less powerful. — Yes. A central Anti‑Federalist complaint was that the Constitution would weaken state authority and concentrate too much power at the national level.