Ratification Debate Questions

In 1788 and 1789, a major controversy between the Federalists and the Antifederalists focused on

• expansion of slavery into the territories

• the wisdom of creating a two-house legislature

• division of power among different levels of government

• the issue of allowing women the right to vote

During the debate over the ratification of the Constitution, Anti-Federalists argued that

• the new Constitution left too much political power to state governments

• a strong national government would gain respect from European nations

• checks and balances were unnecessary in a federal government

• the new Constitution would threaten the rights of individual citizens

The primary purpose of the Federalist Papers was to

• justify the American Revolution to the colonists

• promote the continuation of British rule

• encourage ratification of the United States Constitution

• support the election of George Washington as president

To address the concerns of many Anti-Federalists during the debate over ratification of the Constitution, the Federalists agreed that

• political parties would be formed

• states would retain control of interstate commerce

• slavery would be eliminated by an amendment

• a bill of rights would be added