Question

Ratification of the Constitution did not come easy. Two groups fought over whether or not the Constitution was a good government for us: the Federalists and Anti-Federalists. If these factions existed today, which group do you think you would support?
Compose a paragraph explaining which group you would support.
Explain why you would support either group by including at least 3 examples of beliefs you support/disagree with.

Answer 1

Here is information for both perspectives:

Federalists

I would support the federalists because they believed in a strong central government that would help to unite the states. Along with this, the creation of a new stronger federal government would help to solve the problems America faced under its first constitution, the Articles of Confederation. Under the Articles of Confederation, the federal government could not tax or even raise an army. With the new US Constitution, the federal government would have these necessary powers in order to ensure safety within American society.

Anti-Federalists

I would support the Anti-Federalists because they were advocates of states rights. Along with this, the Anti-Federalists knew that a central government with too much power could very easily result in a monarchy, much like the one the United States experienced when controlled by Great Britain.