gov quiz

Federalists - Key Leaders & Supporters

Big Names: Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (writing as 'Publius'). Supporters: Property owners, wealthy merchants in Northern states, urban residents.

Anti-Federalists - Key Leaders & Supporters

Big Names: Thomas Jefferson, George Mason, Patrick Henry, John Hancock. Supporters: Small farmers, shopkeepers, workers, rural residents.

Federalists - Who Should Rule?

Believed the elite were best prepared to govern for the nation. Did not trust regular people to rule themselves and envisioned a government at a distance.

Anti-Federalists - Who Should Rule?

Saw elites as corrupt. Wanted to include more people in the democratic process to balance power, preferring frequent elections to address concerns.

Federalists - Preferred Plan of Government

Supported the New U.S. Constitution: powerful central government, two-house Congress, three branches with checks and balances, and representative democracy.

Anti-Federalists - Preferred Plan of Government

Supported the Articles of Confederation: strong state governments, weak central government, frequent elections, and more direct democracy.

Federalists - View on Individual Rights

Believed the Constitution created a central government with limited powers, so rights weren't threatened. Noted that each state constitution had its own Bill of Rights.

Anti-Federalists - View on Individual Rights

Insisted a national Bill of Rights was necessary to protect citizens' rights, arguing the proposed Constitution did not do enough.

Federalists - View on State Power

Believed states must be organized under a larger central government. The Constitution shares power with states, and a federal government requires state existence.

Anti-Federalists - View on State Power

Believed states should maintain their power and not lose it to a central government, fearing the new Constitution would destroy state governments.

Federalists - View on Executive Power (President)

Believed an executive/president is necessary to enforce laws and conduct foreign policy. Pointed out that the Constitution sets limits on presidential power.

Anti-Federalists - View on Executive Power (President)

Feared the president was essentially an 'elected king' with too much power, doubting there would be a peaceful transfer of power between presidents.

Federalists - View on Judicial Branch (Courts)

Viewed the Supreme Court as the weakest branch (cannot pass laws or control the military) and a necessary part of the checks and balances system.

Anti-Federalists - View on Judicial Branch (Courts)

Believed the Supreme Court was too strong because justices do not have to answer to anyone.

Constitution

A set of rules/framework that guides how a country works.

Unalienable Rights

Rights that cannot be taken away by the government, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Consent of the Governed

The idea that the government's power comes from the people.

Grievances

Complaints (especially those of the American colonists against the King/Parliament of England).

Federalist

A supporter of a stronger federal government (supported the new U.S. Constitution).

Anti-Federalist

A supporter of a weaker federal government (supported the Articles of Confederation).

Framers of the Constitution

Those who drafted the U.S. Constitution (Founding Fathers).

Acronym IRCD

Memory tool for the 4 parts of the Declaration of Independence: Introduction/Preamble, Rights of the people, Complaints against the king, Declaration of a new nation.

Part 1: Preamble (Introduction)

States the reason for writing the document: to explain why the colonists were breaking ties with Britain.

Part 2: Declaration of Natural Rights

States that everyone has unalienable rights and governments are created to protect them. If a government violates these rights, the people must change it.

Part 3: List of Grievances

Presents complaints proving the King violated their rights (e.g., denied trial by jury, taxed without consent).

Part 4: Resolution of Independence

Concludes that the colonies are free and independent states, dissolving all ties with the British government.