Federalists and Antifederalists Quiz

What did Federalists and Antifederalists disagree most strongly about?

• a. a strong national government

• b. creating a system of checks and balances

• c. protecting individual liberties

• d. increasing the power of the confederation

Which of the following is true of the Federalists?

• a. They opposed ratification of the Constitution.

• b. They opposed a strong central government.

• c. They supported the division of the United States into 13 separate countries.

• d. They feared the Articles of Confederation could not keep the country united.

The passage below about government is from Federalist No. 51: "If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. . . . the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself." How are the author’s views from this passage applied in the U.S. Constitution?

• a. The U.S. Constitution limits the rights of the people.

• b. The U.S. Constitution limits the power of the federal government.

• c. The U.S. Constitution requires the states to provide for the common defense.

• d. The U.S. Constitution requires the government to promote the general welfare.

Which statement supports the Anti-Federalists in the struggle over ratification of the U.S. Constitution?

• a. The Constitution should limit state government.

• b. The Constitution should protect fundamental rights.

• c. The Constitution should create a strong national government.

• d. The Constitution should prevent the election of amateur politicians.

Use the quotes below: Speaker 1: “We can’t ratify the Constitution. It has no bill of rights!” Speaker 2: “I think the states should have more power.” Speaker 3: “We just fought for liberty. Why submit to a new tyrant?” Who are the speakers and what are they afraid of?

• Patriots; ineffective government

• Federalists; the loss of liberty

• Antifederalists; a strong national government

• Loyalists; the loss of property rights

Why did Antifederalists want a bill of rights in the Constitution?

• to list their rights

• to protect their rights

• to prevent ratification of the Constitution

• to argue with Federalists

Which statement best reflects the views of an Anti-Federalists?

• “I demand a new constitution.”

• “I support ratification.”

• “I fear a strong government.”

• “I oppose a bill of rights.”

How many states were required to ratify the Constitution?

• 9

• 50

• 13

• 25

Which group would have made these arguments in 1787?

• Free-Soilers

• Anti-Federalist

• Loyalist

• Federalists