The Great Debate: Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists
A Grade 12 social studies worksheet exploring the key arguments and figures in the Federalist and Anti-Federalist debates over the U.S. Constitution.
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The Great Debate: Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists
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Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your knowledge. This worksheet will test your understanding of the Federalist and Anti-Federalist arguments during the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
1. Which of the following was a primary concern of the Anti-Federalists regarding the new Constitution?
The lack of a strong executive branch.
The potential for a tyrannical central government.
The absence of a national judiciary.
The inability to raise a national army.
2. Who was a prominent author of The Federalist Papers, arguing for the ratification of the Constitution?
Patrick Henry
George Mason
James Madison
Samuel Adams
1. The Anti-Federalists were generally in favor of a strong, centralized national government.
True
False
2. Federalist No. 10 primarily discusses the dangers of factions and how a large republic can control their effects.
True
False
1. The collection of essays written to persuade New Yorkers to ratify the Constitution is known as The Papers.
2. Anti-Federalists demanded a of Rights to protect individual liberties.
3. The primary author of the U.S. Constitution, and a key Federalist, was .
1. Briefly explain the main difference in the views of Federalists and Anti-Federalists regarding the power of the central government.
2. What was the purpose of The Federalist Papers? Name at least two of its authors.
The image above shows the title page of the first edition of The Federalist, a collection of essays that played a crucial role in the debate over the U.S. Constitution. These essays were written under the pseudonym 'Publius'.
Match each individual or group with their primary stance during the Federalist Debate.
1. Alexander Hamilton
a. Anti-Federalist
2. Thomas Jefferson
b. Federalist
3. Advocates for states' rights
c. Generally aligned with Anti-Federalists
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