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The Federalists and the Antifederalists
The framers had set up a process for the states to approve, or ratify, the new government. The Constitution would go into effect when at least 9 of the 13 states had ratified it. In 1787 and 1788, voters in each state elected delegates to special state conventions. These delegates would decide whether or not to ratify the Constitution.
For Ratification: The Arguments of the Federalists In every state, heated debates took place. Supporters of the Constitution called themselves Federalists because they favored a strong federal, or national, government. They called people who opposed the Constitution Antifederalists.
Federalists argued that the Articles of Confederation left too much power with the individual states. This imbalance produced a dangerously weak central government. Disputes among the states, Federalists said, made it too difficult for the government to function.
Federalists believed that the Constitution gave the national government the authority it needed to function effectively. At the same time, they said, the Constitution still protected the rights and powers of the individual states.
Federalists James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay wrote a series of essays, known today as the Federalist Papers . Their purpose was to explain and defend the Constitution. They used pen names, but most people knew who they were. Today, the Federalist Papers remain among the best discussions of the political theory behind the American system of government.
Courts still refer to the Federalist Papers in making decisions about the principles and role of government. In this way, they have had a lasting influence on the U.S. system of government.
Against Ratification: The Arguments of the Antifederalists Antifederalists felt that the Constitution made the national government too strong and left the states too weak. They also thought that the Constitution gave the President too much power. Patrick Henry of Virginia protested:
This Constitution is said to have beautiful features, but … they appear to me horribly frightful. … Your President may become king … If your American chief be a man of ambition and abilities, how easy is it for him to render himself absolute!
Using this text answer this question :Identify key issues in the constitutional debate
The framers had set up a process for the states to approve, or ratify, the new government. The Constitution would go into effect when at least 9 of the 13 states had ratified it. In 1787 and 1788, voters in each state elected delegates to special state conventions. These delegates would decide whether or not to ratify the Constitution.
For Ratification: The Arguments of the Federalists In every state, heated debates took place. Supporters of the Constitution called themselves Federalists because they favored a strong federal, or national, government. They called people who opposed the Constitution Antifederalists.
Federalists argued that the Articles of Confederation left too much power with the individual states. This imbalance produced a dangerously weak central government. Disputes among the states, Federalists said, made it too difficult for the government to function.
Federalists believed that the Constitution gave the national government the authority it needed to function effectively. At the same time, they said, the Constitution still protected the rights and powers of the individual states.
Federalists James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay wrote a series of essays, known today as the Federalist Papers . Their purpose was to explain and defend the Constitution. They used pen names, but most people knew who they were. Today, the Federalist Papers remain among the best discussions of the political theory behind the American system of government.
Courts still refer to the Federalist Papers in making decisions about the principles and role of government. In this way, they have had a lasting influence on the U.S. system of government.
Against Ratification: The Arguments of the Antifederalists Antifederalists felt that the Constitution made the national government too strong and left the states too weak. They also thought that the Constitution gave the President too much power. Patrick Henry of Virginia protested:
This Constitution is said to have beautiful features, but … they appear to me horribly frightful. … Your President may become king … If your American chief be a man of ambition and abilities, how easy is it for him to render himself absolute!
Using this text answer this question :Identify key issues in the constitutional debate
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