Federalists v. Anti-federalists: Constitutional Debate AG 6 FB

The Necessary and Proper Clause is shown below: “The Congress shall have power… To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Office thereof” Why did Federalists want to include this clause in the Constitution?

• To protect individual liberties of all citizens
• To allow the national government to efficiently run the country

Prior to the ratification of the US Constitution in 1788, Federalists and Anti-Federalists debated how well the proposed Constitution upheld the principles of government that would later become important in the Nullification Crisis. Based on their arguments during the ratification debate, which statement describes what the Anti-Federalists would have thought about the Force Bill?

• Anti Federalists would have sided with South Carolina because they opposed having an overly powerful Federal government.
• Anti Federalists would have sided with Congress and President Jackson because they opposed trading with foreign countries.

The Bill of Rights was adopted to address Anti-Federalist concerns about the US Constitution. One of the Amendments from the Bill of Rights is shown: “In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed..” What was an Anti-Federalist concern about the US Constitution that was addressed by this amendment?

• The Constitution would reduce the power of the Federal government.
• The Constitution failed to adequately protect the civil liberties of individuals.

The Supremacy Clause places too much power in the national government

• Federalist
• Anti-federalist

The inclusion of a bill of rights is necessary to protect against government intrusion

• Federalist
• Anti-federalist

The general welfare of the country is a greater concern than individual state sovereignty

• Federalist
• Anti-federalist

A strong national government is necessary to address the problems encountered under the Articles of Confederation.

• Federalist
• Anti-federalist

The powers of the national government should be clearly defined and limited relative to the powers of the state governments.

• Federalist
• Anti-federalist

During the debate over the ratification of the Constitution, the Anti-Federalists wanted limited government. Some provisions in the Constitution, as ratified by the states, allow for a stronger central government than the Anti-Federalists envisioned. Identify the parts of the US Constitution the Anti-Federalists would have opposed. Which of the following is a passage that the Anti-Federalists would have opposed? (Select ALL that apply)

• “No State shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confederation”
• “In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed.”
• “Congress shall make no law…abridging the Freedom of Speech”
• "The Congress shall have the power to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the United States”
• “This Constitution…shall be the supreme law of land; and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby”

The Declaration of Independence identifies three unalienable rights. They are (select all that apply)

• Life
• Liberty
• Pursuit of Happiness
• Property
• Freedom of Speech