SS.7.C.1.8
Explain the viewpoints of the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists regarding the ratification
of the Constitution and inclusion of a bill of rights.
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SS.7.C.1.8 Benchmark Clarification 2: Students will compare the viewpoints of the Federalists
and the Anti-Federalists about the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
Concern about Federalist Viewpoint Anti-Federalist Viewpoint
Government Power
Power between the states The national government would Too much power would be
and national government have enumerated (listed) powers taken from the states; a
that would protect all the people federal system was too new
no matter which state they lived and untested.
in.
An enumerated listing of By not listing specific rights in the The Constitution needed a
individual rights Constitution, the people were specific listing of rights to
protected better than they would protect the people from the
be if the Founders tried to list all national government.
the rights they could possibly
think of. They might leave
something out, and that could be
dangerous for the people.
Legislative powers The necessary and proper The necessary and
clause/elastic clause would proper/elastic clause would
allow Congress to respond to the give too much power to
needs of all the people. Congress. Congress would
use the necessary and
proper/elastic clause to abuse
its power.
Powers of the national Separation of powers and Separation of powers and
government checks and balances protected checks and balances would
the people from any branch of not do enough to protect the
government becoming too strong. people from any branch of
government becoming too
strong. The national
government would still have
too much power.
The country needed to be The Constitution would better The nation could be united
united unite the country than the Articles while the states would keep
of Confederation. their individual identities.

checks and balances - a principle of the federal government, according to the U.S. Constitution, that allows each branch
of government to limit the power of the other branches
federal system - a system of government where power is shared between a central government and states
necessary and proper clause - the power of Congress to make laws they view as necessary and proper to carry out their
enumerated powers; also known as the elastic clause
separation of powers - the structure of the federal government, according to the U.S. Constitution, that sets up three
branches with their own distinct powers and responsibilities

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