Federalism Icivics Lesson

Federalists & Anti-Federalists Name:
Federalism: What Is It?

Federalism is a system of government that divides power between a central
government and smaller units of government, such as state or local governments.
The term federal government refers to the central government that unites all the
smaller governments. The United States has a federal system: There is a central
United States government, but at the same time each state has its own
independent government. Some powers belong to the federal government, some
powers belong to state governments, and some powers belong to both.
Who Needs a Central Government?

As the United States was being born, the Founders experimented with several
tion
ed ra
types of government. The first one was organized under an agreement called
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onf
the Articles of Confederation. It created a central government that had
Constitution
very little power. Most of the power was given to the state governments. This
o fC
gave the states a lot of independence, but it also created problems. So the
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icle
Founders tried again, and this time they wrote the Constitution. Signed by
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Ar
representatives from every state, the Constitution created a stronger central
government that shared power with the states. But when the Constitution was
sent to the states for approval, some of the founders fought against it. People
split into two groups that argued bitterly about certain parts of the proposed
Constitution.
Anti-Federalists: Down with Central Government!
Anti-federalists wanted a small central government. They believed local
governments best understood what citizens needed and would best protect
citizens’ freedom. Anti-federalists opposed parts of the Constitution they thought
limited the power of the states. They feared that a strong central government
would overpower state governments, and eventually state governments would
lose their independence and influence. They also didn’t like that the original
Constitution did not guarantee citizens any specific rights. They feared that a
central government would become so powerful it would be just like having a king.
Federalists: Yay for Central Government!
Federalists wanted a strong central government. They believed that a strong
central government was necessary if the states were going to band together to
form a nation. A strong central government could represent the nation to other
countries. It could also control individual states that would not cooperate with the
rest. Federalists also believed that a strong central government could best protect
individual citizens’ rights and freedoms. Federalists were not afraid of the central
government created by the Constitution because it had three branches—the
executive, legislative, and judicial—that could limit each other’s power. That way,
the central government could not become too powerful.
A Compromise
In the end, the federalists and anti-federalists found a compromise and the
Constitution was accepted. Federalists agreed to add ten amendments, or
changes, to the end of the Constitution. These amendments guaranteed a
list of rights to citizens and are known as the Bill of Rights. The anti-
federalists were pleased with this addition because the Bill of Rights limited
the central government’s power.
Influence Library Federalists & Antifederalists p.1
Federalists & Anti-Federalists Name:
Who Would Say That? Read each statement. If it sounds like something a Federalist would have said
to support the Constitution, write F in the box. If it sounds like something an Anti-Federalist would have
said to complain about the Constitution, write A on the line
___ 1. The Constitution gives the federal ___ 8. A strong President is necessary to protect
government enough power to overpower the states. the country against foreign attack and make sure
laws are carried out properly.
___ 2. It will not be possible for the federal
government to overpower the states, because the ___ 9. The Constitution creates a Supreme Court
states are a necessary part of the federal that is too powerful because the judges don’t
government. answer to anyone.
___ 3. The Constitution contains no Bill of Rights to ___ 10. The Constitution already contains a few
protect individual liberties like freedom of speech, rights, so we may as well add a whole Bill of
trial by jury, and the right against searches and Rights.
seizures.
___ 11. The Supreme Court is the weakest branch
___ 4. The Constitution says federal laws are “the of government because it doesn’t control the
supreme law of the land,” so the federal government military and can’t pass laws.
could just take complete control.
___ 12. The Constitution forbids creating titles of
___ 5. Nothing in the Constitution says the federal nobility like “Duke” or “King,” so the government
government has power to limit peoples’ freedoms in will always belong to the people.
the first place.
___ 13. The United States is too large to have a
___ 6.The Constitution gives the federal government central government. People won’t know their
just a few powers that are very well defined. leaders and will lose control over the government.
___ 7. The President created by the Constitution is ___ 14. The Constitution is a Bill of Rights because
really just a king. it guarantees citizens a role in government.
Sound Off: Do We Need the Bill of Rights? Explain whether you agree with a famous federalist:
The Preamble (opening) of the Constitution says, “We the

People…do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United
States of America.” The people created this Constitution. That
is enough to make sure the government will never violate
peoples’ rights. We don’t need an extra Bill of Rights!
Alexander Hamilton
 
Bill of Rights
Freedom of speech
Freedom of religion
Freedom of the press
No unreasonable searches
Right to due process of law
No cruel punishments
Right to a lawyer
Right to a fair trial
Influence Library Federalists & Antifederalists p.2

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Federalists & Anti-Federalists Name:

Federalism: What Is It?

Who Needs a Central Government?

The Preamble (opening) of the Constitution says, “We the

Influence Library Federalists & Antifederalists p.2

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