Today’s Lesson

• Recount of Federalist vs. Anti-Federalist Arguments

• Introduction to the Bill of Rights • Bill of rights group presentations (5 pts of

class credit) • Preview of tomorrow’s activity

Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists

A debate for the Bill of Rights

Battle for ratification

• Constitutional convention: May to September 1787

• Federalist Papers: October of 1787 through 1788

• Concerning a bill of rights• Constitution not ratified by all of the states

until 1790

A 200 year old debate • Began as a battle for public opinion about

whether or not the States should adopt the constitution.

• During the period of debate, numerous local speeches and articles were published in newspapers all across the country.

• Federalist papers under the pseudonym “Publius”

• Anti-Federalist papers under the pseudonyms such as “Cato,” “Brutus,” “Centinel,” and “Federal Farmer”

Federalist argument

• “It is evident that…they have no application to constitutions professedly founded upon the power of the people, and executed by their immediate representatives and servants…the people surrender nothing, and as they retain every thing, they have no need of particular reservations.” –Alexander Hamilton

Anti- Federalist Argument

• “If you give up these powers, without a bill of rights, you will exhibit the most absurd thing to mankind that ever the world saw — government that has abandoned all its powers — the powers of direct taxation, the sword, and the purse. You have disposed of them to Congress, without a bill of rights — without check, limitation, or control. And still you have checks and guards; still you keep barriers — pointed where? Pointed against your weakened, prostrated, enervated state government!” –Patrick Henry

Issue #1: Size

• Anti-Federalists: If a government is too big, it will have too much power, and consolidate, eventually leading to the government being ruled by a powerful elite

• Federalist Response: If there is a large government, the diverse populations will ensure that a small group of people, a ‘dangerous minority’ with radical ideas does not gain power.

Issue #2: Individual Rights

• Anti-Federalists: The rights guaranteed to the people should be included in the Constitution or else they are not guaranteed.

• Federalist Response: The checks and balances are enough to keep the government from taking the rights of the people away.

Issue #3: Representation

• Anti-Federalists: This new government will encourage only the well educated elite to be representatives who are using this as an opportunity to gain power

• Federalist Response: These are the men that are best educated and will be able to make the best decisions.

Issue #4: Accountability

• Anti-Federalists: The new government would be so large that people would not be involved.

• Federalist Response: The central government cannot take the rights of the people because of the many checks and balances.

Issue #5: Power

• Anti-Federalists: The limits of the power given to the federal government are not clear.

• Federalist Response: The checks and balances in the Constitution will be effective in restraining the power of the federal government.

Take a moment to discuss at your table…

• Do the Anti-Federalists of Federalists care more about protecting individual rights or promoting the common good?

The Bill of Rights

• First ten amendments to the constitution

• Why are they more than what Madison simply referred to as a “parchment barrier”?

• Why should YOU care?

Presentation Activity

• Each table group is going to prepare a 3 minute presentation on 2-3 amendments (depending on the amount of table groups).

• Presentation needs to address three points:– What does the amendment mean? (Put it into your

own words) – Why is the amendment significant in addressing one

of the 5 issues that the anti-federalists were concerned about with government? (Size, individual rights, representation, accountability, power)

Sink or Swim TOGETHER: You will be graded on…

• Participation(1 pt): Every one contributes equally to the presentation.

• Form (1 pt): The presentation has a strong introduction and conclusion and you are NOT reading notes.

• Content (3 pts): The content presented is informative and well thought out and provides a better understanding of the bill of rights.

• Take notes! Bill of Rights Quiz tomorrow

Take notes!

• Bill of Rights quiz tomorrow! (5 pts)

• Bill of rights REAL LIFE application activity. – You will be given a scenario and asked in groups

to acknowledge which amendments are at play.