Read the following excerpt from Federalist #3 by John Jay.The number of wars which have happened or will happen in the world will always be found to be in proportion to the number and weight of the causes, whether REAL or PRETENDED, which PROVOKE or INVITE them. If this remark be just, it becomes useful to inquire whether so many JUST causes of war are likely to be given by UNITED AMERICA as by DISUNITED America; for if it should turn out that United America will probably give the fewest, then it will follow that in this respect the Union tends most to preserve the people in a state of peace with other nations.
What was the Federalists’ view of the Constitution?
Read the following excerpt from Federalist #44 by James Madison.Had every State a right to regulate the value of its coin, there might be as many different currencies as States, and thus the [trade] among them would be impeded; [unexpected changes] in its value might be made, and thus the citizens of other States be injured, and animosities be kindled among the States themselves. The subjects of foreign powers might suffer from the same cause, and hence the Union be discredited and embroiled by the indiscretion of a single member.
The Anti-Federalists wanted to
Read the passage.The regular distribution of power into distinct departments… the representation of the people in the legislature by deputies of their own election: these are… powerful means, by which the excellences of republican government may be retained.
Federalists believed a strong government would
Read the excerpt from The Federal Farmer.Instead of being thirteen republics, under a federal head, [the Federalists’ plan] is clearly designed to make us one [unified] government. . . . Whether such a change can ever be [made] in any manner; whether it can be [made] without convulsions and civil wars; whether such a change will not totally destroy the liberties of this country—time only can determine.–The Federal Farmer
Read the excerpt from the Publius.In republican government, the [lawmaking] authority necessarily [has the most power]. The remedy for this…is to divide the legislature into different branches; and to render them…as little connected with each other [as possible]. —Publius
Read the following excerpt from The Objections of the Hon. George Mason to the Proposed Federal Constitution: Addressed to the Citizens of Virginia, written in 1787.There is no declaration of rights: and the laws of the general government being paramount to the laws and constitutions of the several states, the declarations of rights, in the separate states, are no security.
Read the excerpt from the Centinel.This hypothesis [separation of powers] supposes human wisdom competent [capable] to the task of instituting three co-equal orders in government…If such an organization of power were practicable [able to be used], how long would it continue? Not a day.—Centinel
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