The Ratification Debate

Question 1

What was the Federalists’ argument for not adding a separate bill of rights to the Constitution?

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A separate bill of rights was unnecessary because the Constitution was not taking away any rights from citizens.

Question 2

When the Constitution first became law in 1788,

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New York and Virginia had not ratified it.

Question 3

Why did the Federalists approve of the separation of powers in the Constitution?

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They thought it was necessary to protect the liberty of Americans.

Question 4

After nine states had ratified the Constitution by mid-1788,

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it became law in the United States.

Question 5

The Anti-Federalists favored strong state governments because

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they believed that was the best way to protect people’s liberty

Question 6

In 1787, the fate of the Constitution was in the hands of

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state representatives.

Question 7

What made Virginia and New York finally agree to ratify the Constitution?

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A bill of rights was added.

Question 8

The Anti-Federalists were against

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ratification of the Constitution.

Question 9

The Federalists favored the Constitution as the basis of a new government because they

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wanted a strong central government.

Question 10

The “Federalist Papers” mainly argued that the Constitution

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would ensure that a strong federal government had its power held in check by its three branches.

The Ratification Debate Answers