CONTENT STATEMENT
The debate presented by the Federalist and Anti-Federalist Papers over protections for individuals and limits on government power resulted in the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights provides constitutional protections for individual liberties and limits on governmental power.
CONTENT ELABORATION
The Federalists published a series of essays to convince others to support the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. The Federalists advocated for:
- national taxation to fund the central government;
- a standing army for a strong national defense; and
- a strong central government with checks and balances.
The Anti-Federalists also published their concerns relating to the shift of power from state governments to a strong central government. Their concerns included:
- national taxation becoming repressive;
- the use of a standing army against their own citizens; and
- establishing a balance of power between national and state governments.
One of the key issues in the debate over the ratification of the Constitution concerned individual rights. Anti-Federalist arguments regarding the lack of protections of individual liberties led to the introduction and eventual ratification of the Bill of Rights, which included:
- freedom of speech, press, assembly, petition, religion;
- due process of law; and
- protections against illegal search and seizure.
EXPECTATIONS FOR LEARNING
Compare the arguments of the Federalists and Anti-Federalists.
Explain how the Federalist and Anti-Federalist debates led to the adoption of the Bill of Rights.