What was the central issue in the Federalists vs Anti-Federalists debate over ratifying the Constitution?
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Correct answer: Whether the new national government would be too strong or strong enough
Federalists argued that a stronger national government was necessary to solve the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. Anti-Federalists feared that the proposed Constitution gave too much power to the central government and threatened liberty.
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More Federalists vs Anti-Federalists questions
- Which position was most closely associated with the Federalists during the ratification debate?
- Which position was most closely associated with the Anti-Federalists?
- Why did Federalists argue that the Articles of Confederation needed to be replaced?
- Which event strengthened Federalist arguments that the United States needed a stronger national government?
- What was the purpose of The Federalist Papers?
- Which group was more likely to support a Bill of Rights as a condition for accepting the Constitution?