Anti-Federalist Essay Excerpt - Constitutional Principles

The following question has two parts. First, answer part A. Then, answer part B. Part A An excerpt from an Anti-Federalist essay is shown. It [the national government] has authority to make laws which will affect the lives, the liberty, and property of every man in the United States; nor can the constitution or laws of any state, in any way prevent or impede the full and complete execution.

What feature of constitutional government in the United States has changed over time?

• the number of federal government branches

• the ability of citizens to vote in federal elections

• the ability of the president to veto a bill passed by Congress

• the designation of the president as commander in chief of the armed forces

What action has been used to change the feature of constitutional government identified in Part A?

• a formal declaration of war

• the approval of a federal budget

• the impeachment of executive officials

• the ratification of constitutional amendments

An excerpt from the debate over ratification of the Constitution is shown. If the new Constitution be examined with accuracy and candor [honesty], it will be found that the change which it proposes consists much less in the addition of NEW POWERS to the Union, than in the invigoration of its ORIGINAL POWERS. . . . The powers relating to war and peace, armies and fleets, treaties and finance, with the other more considerable powers, are all vested in the existing Congress by the articles of Confederation. The proposed change does not enlarge these powers; it only substitutes a more effectual mode of administering them. What viewpoint does this excerpt demonstrate?

• the Federalist viewpoint that federal law should be supreme to state law when they conflict

• the Federalist viewpoint that the Constitution will address the weaknesses of the prior system of government

• the Anti-Federalist viewpoint that a powerful national government poses a threat to the civil liberties of individual citizens

• the Anti-Federalist viewpoint that the Constitution should grant state governments the power to overturn laws at the national level

What was an Anti-Federalist concern about the U.S. Constitution that was addressed by this amendment?

• The Constitution would reduce the power of the federal government.

• The Constitution failed to give sufficient powers to the executive branch.

• The Constitution failed to adequately protect the civil liberties of individuals.

• The Constitution would produce state courts that were more powerful than federal courts.

Which phrase describes the system of federalism established by the United States Constitution?

• the restriction of the government to exercise only the powers granted to it by the people

• the ability of one branch of government to restrain the powers of the other branches

• the distribution of powers among independent branches of government

• the division of powers between the national government and the states

During the debate over 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 U.S. Constitution the Anti-Federalists would have opposed.

• 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 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 the land; and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby.

The Constitution establishes the basic principles of government in the United States. An excerpt from Article I, Section 7 of the U.S. Constitution is shown. Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States; If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated ... Which principle of government is reflected in this portion of the Constitution?

• federalism

• limited government

• popular sovereignty

• checks and balances

How does this portion of the Constitution reflect this principle?

• It reserves powers to the states.

• It keeps certain rights with the people.

• It allows one branch to constrain another.

• It allows citizens to have a say in their government.

Which power can the U.S. Supreme Court exercise with reference to the U.S. Constitution?

• propose, alter, approve, and craft constitutional amendments

• veto proposed constitutional amendments before they are ratified

• provide clarification and/or extend the meaning of constitutional provisions on a case-by-case basis

• formally add new constitutional language by rendering decisions, interpretations and rulings on a case-by-case basis