"The Federalist/Anti-Federalist" Assignment

BACKGROUND: For this assignment, you will be reading articles from the Federalist/Anti-Federalist Papers, written by some of the leading thinkers in America at the time that the Constitution was being written.

ONLINE RESOURCES: Here is a link to Article I of the Constitution from The INTERACTIVE CONSTITUTION from the National Constitution Center. Please use it to review to Article 1, as needed, to follow the arguments below.

THE READINGS: Read the following:

  1. Start by reading the short preview article in yellow "American Government- Readings and Cases" book on page 52 called "Constitutional Background: National versus State Power."
  2. Then read the introduction to the "Federalist Papers" on Page 57.
  3. Read "The Anti-Federalist Papers No. 17" from page 58 to 61.
  4. Then read the Federalist's response of "Federalist 44" on pages 61-63. 
  5. Answer the questions below:

Question ONE: The language of the 1700s is much more complex and flowery than today. Record 5 words and their definitions from each of the two main articles listed above that you are not familiar with. (Feel free to include MORE than 5 words if there are more than 5 that you do not understand.)

Question TWO: Based on your readings, DESCRIBE the difference between FEDERALISTS and ANTI-FEDERALISTS.

Question THREE: Describe the NECESSARY AND PROPER CLAUSE. How was this clause viewed by both sides of the Constitutional Debate: The Federalists and the Anti-Federalists?

Question FOUR: What do the Anti-Federalists claim to be afraid of in the way that the Constitution was being constructed at the time? How do the Federalists counter these fears?

Question FIVE: Had you been reading the newspapers at the time, anticipating the creation of a new American governmental system, which argument would you have found more convincing and why?

Question SIX-  Illustration of Issues:  To deepen your understanding of one of the Federalist/Anti-Federalist Debate, you will be illustrating the concepts and points regarding the readings above. 

Please create a MEDIA PIECE that outlines the differences of the Federalists and the Anti-Federalist from the readings above. These pieces can be any of the forms listed below:

  1. Create a POLITICAL CARTOON that illustrates Federalist/Anti-Federlist issues.
  2. Create a series of TWO ADVERTISEMENTS that encourages readers to believe in Federalist/Anti-Federalist issues.
  3. Create a DIALOGUE (discussion/argument between two people) or SKIT that relates all of the necessary information about both sides of Federalist/Anti-Federlist issues.
  4. Create a POEM that reviews all of the necessary information regarding Federalist/Anti-Federlist issues.  If you create a HAIKU on your topic, you had better be REALLY GOOD!
  5. A FLASH ANIMATION that reviews all of the information of Federalist/Anti-Federlist issues.
  6. Create any other type of CREATIVE VEHICLE that clearly illustrates and educates the points Federalist/Anti-Federlist issues.  Surprise me!

GRADING:  I will be reviewing these vehicles in class and discussing your product's merits with everyone.  This assignment will be worth a total of 100 points!