11/12/2014
Reading Like a Historian
• Constitutional Convention created new Constitution in 1787
• One of the biggest debates was over representation
• Large Population states want it based on population
• Smaller states wanted equal representation
• The Great Compromise solved the problem
• Bicameral Legislature
• Senate (2 Senators from each state)
• House of Representatives (1 rep. for every 30,000 people)
• Antifederalists did not think it was good enough
• Wanted more representation; Did not think 1 person could represent 30,000 people
• Constitution had to be ratified by 9 of the 13 states which
lead to intense debates is many states
• Federalists – supported Constitution
• Antifederalists – opposed a strong central government/wanted a Bill of Rights
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11/12/2014
Alexander Hamilton
Federalist
Melancton Smith
Antifederalist
• What was Hamilton’s position on representation?
What arguments does he make to support his claim?
• What was Smith’s position? What arguments does
he make to support his claim?
• Based on these arguments, what type of people
would you guess tended to be Federalists?
Antifederalists?
• Do you see versions of these same issues being
discussed today?
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11/12/2014
Federalists
•Alexander Hamilton, James
Madison,
John Jay
Antifederalists
•Patrick Henry, George Mason, Thomas
Jefferson
•Small farmers, shopkeepers, laborers
•Property owners, landed rich,
merchants in Northern states
•Believed in the decency of the
common man and in participatory
democracy (closer to direct
•Believed in elitism. Saw
democracy). Viewed elites as corrupt.
themselves
and those of their class as most fit Sought greater protection of individual
Rights
to
govern.
•Wanted stronger state governments
at the expense of the federal
•Powerful central government. 2house legislature, with one house government. Frequent elections,
(Senate) being more removed from smaller districts, more direct
democracy.
the people, whom they generally
distrusted.
• If I had the opportunity to choose, I
would have been a Federalist/Antifederalist
because . . .
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