Federalists Anti-Federalists

Question

A Supported the creation of
a confederation Supported the creation of
a pluralist democracy
B Drew support from small farmers
and rural citizens Drew support from planters, merchants,
and urban dwellers
C Stressed the need for a government that
could grow to address more issues Stressed the need for more power to
smaller, state governments
D Said a “bill of rights” would negate the concept
of Federalism in the Constitution Feared a lack of a “bill of rights” would cause
citizens to lose their rights and liberties

Which of these ACCURATELY describes the Federalist and Anti-Federalist views on government?
Responses

A A

B B

C C

D D

Answer 1

The accurate descriptions of the Federalist and Anti-Federalist views on government are as follows:

• A: Incorrect. Federalists supported a strong central government rather than a confederation.
• B: Incorrect. Federalists were more supported by urban dwellers, while Anti-Federalists drew support from rural citizens and small farmers.
• C: Correct. Federalists stressed the need for a government that could grow and adapt to address more issues, while Anti-Federalists advocated for more power to state governments.
• D: Correct. Federalists argued that a "bill of rights" would be unnecessary or redundant in the Constitution, while Anti-Federalists feared that not including a "bill of rights" would jeopardize citizens' rights.

The best answers, therefore, are C and D for accurately capturing the views. If I had to choose one based on your options, I would select C, as it represents a broader core concept of their differing perspectives on government power.