What Was the Constitutional Debate?

When was the Constitution written?

• 1787

• 1776

• 1801

• 1791

After the Revolutionary War, America needed a new government. The Constitution was written in 1787. Two groups had different ideas about how strong the government should be. What were these two groups called?

• Democrats and Republicans

• Federalists and Anti-Federalists

• Loyalists and Patriots

• Whigs and Tories

Who were the main leaders of the Federalists?

• Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin

• Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay

• George Washington, Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry

• John Hancock, Thomas Paine, James Monroe

Why did the Federalists want a strong national government?

• They believed states needed to work together and supported the new Constitution.

• They wanted to abolish all state governments.

• They believed a strong government would limit individual freedoms.

• They wanted to return to British rule.

What were the papers called that the Federalists wrote to explain their ideas?

• The Anti-Federalist Papers

• The Federalist Papers

• The Constitution Papers

• The Liberty Papers

Who were two prominent Anti-Federalists?

• George Washington and John Adams

• Patrick Henry and Samuel Adams

• Alexander Hamilton and James Madison

• Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin

Which of the following was a main concern of the Anti-Federalists?

• Too much government power

• Too little government power

• Too many taxes

• Too much trade

The Anti-Federalists feared losing individual rights.

• True

• False

Which group wanted to help solve problems between states?

• Federalist

• Anti-Federalist

Which group was concerned about big government taking away freedoms?

• Federalist

• Anti-Federalist