Ch. 9: The Anti-Federalists and Federalists

Articles of Confederation

our first Constitution, in use from 1781-1788

ratify

approve

9 states

number of states needed to ratify the Constitution

Anti-Federalists

opponents (against) the Constitution

Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, James Monroe

famous Anti-Federalists

Anti-federalist complaints about the Constitution

no bill of rights, gov't is too powerful, nation is too large, chief executive could become like a king, allowed import of slaves for another 20 years

Supremacy clause

federal laws would be superior to state laws

Necessary and proper (elastic) clause

gave Congress the power to pass any law that they thought was "necessary and proper"; stretch their powers

Federalists

favored the Constitution

Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, James Madison

famous Federalists

The Federalist papers

85 essays that said the new Constitution needed to be approved

Federalist arguments in favor of the Constitution

need a strong government, different interests would need to work together in a large country, power is divided between the national government and the states

Bill of Rights

what the Federalists promised to add to the Constitution to get the Anti-Federalists' support

a strong government was needed

Federalists

a large republic (country) is needed for government to work

Federalists

government powers will be divided between states and central government

Federalists

Necessary and proper clause (elastic clause) is needed to carry out powers

Federalists

national gov't should be supreme over state government

Federalists

there is no Bill of Rights

Anti-Federalists

the national government is too powerful

Anti-Federalists

the Supremacy clause could be used to abuse(take away) state power

Anti-Federalists

the Necessary and Proper clause will allow the national government to do anything

Anti-Federalists

the country is too large for this new government to work

Anti-Federalists

the President could become like a king

Anti-Federalists

we are upset that importing slaves will be allowed for 20 more years

Anti-Federalists