Which argument would an Anti-Federalist most likely have made at the Constitutional Convention?
Answers
Answer:
Those opposed to the Constitution
Anti-Federalists argued that the Constitution gave too much power to the federal government, while taking too much power away from state and local governments. Many felt that the federal government would be too far removed to represent the average citizen. Anti-Federalists feared the nation was too large for the national government to respond to the concerns of people on a state and local basis.
The Anti-Federalists were also worried that the original text of the Constitution did not contain a bill of rights. They wanted guaranteed protection for certain basic liberties, such as freedom of speech and trial by jury.
A Bill of Rights was added in 1791. In part to gain the support of the Anti-Federalists, the Federalists promised to add a bill of rights if the Anti-Federalists would vote for the Constitution. Learn more about it by visiting the Student Center page on The Constitution and Rights.
The Courts
How did the Anti-Federalists feel about the federal courts?
Similar to how they felt about the rest of the proposed federal government, the Anti-Federalists believed the Constitution granted too much power to the federal courts, at the expense of the state and local courts. They argued that the federal courts would be too far away to provide justice to the average citizen.
How did the Federalists feel about the federal courts?
The Federalists argued that the federal courts had limited jurisdiction, leaving many areas of the law to the state and local courts. The Federalists felt that the new federal courts were necessary to provide checks and balances on the power of the other two branches of government. They believed the federal courts would protect citizens from government abuse, and guarantee their liberty.
Courts today
Federalism is a form of government in which power is divided between the national government and the state governments. In the United States, there is a federal court system. In addition, each state has its own courts. To learn more about this dual court system, visit the Student Center page State Courts vs. Federal Courts.
Explanation:
Concerning the Constitutional Convention in 1787, an Anti-Federalist would argue that the constitution lacked protection for INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES. The Anti-Federalists were concerned, on matters concerning the protection of the rights of the individual, people, and states, to promote the public as a whole. The Anti-Federalists further noted that the constitution threatened to leap the U.S to political corruption. They advocated for a bill of rights to protect people against the national governments' power, such as freedom of speech and trial by jury. In 1791 the bill of rights was added to the constitution for it to gain Anti-Federalists support.