Federalist and Antifederalist

DBQ

Name: _______________

Date: ______________
Period: ________________

Directions: Read each document and respond to the questions in the space provided.
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DOCUMENT-BASED QUESTION
Document 1
I propose, in a series of papers, to discuss the following interesting particulars:

The utility of the Union to your political prosperity the insufficiency of the present
3Confederation to preserve that Union the necessity of a government at least equally energetic
4with the one proposed, to the attainment of this object the conformity of the proposed
5Constitution to the true principles of Republican Government its analogy to your own State
6Constitution and lastly, the additional security which its adoption will afford to the preservation
7of that species of government, to liberty, and to property. James Madison, Federalist Papers
(1)
2

1. What does Madison plan to discuss? Please support your answer by citing the line from
the text where you pulled the information from.
Madison plans to discuss how to preserve the Union by discussing the pros of the
Constitution that is being presented to the present union, lines 3-5.
2. Why does Madison feel it is necessary to discuss it? Please support your answer by citing
the line from the text where you pulled the information from.
Madison believes this is necessary because of the state the United States is in at the present
moment, line 2.

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Document 2

Answer the following question for the political cartoon:

1. Describe what you see in the cartoon. Please describe at least three key details.
In this political cartoon I see three little ships in a river, a man in a wagon that is sinking
in the mud, and two groups pulling on the wagon.
2. Is this political cartoon representing the federalist or anti-federalist side? How do you
know? Please support your answer using key details from the picture.
I think that this political cartoon is depicting the federalist side. I know this because of
the two groups of federalists trying are trying to help the cart out of the mud that is the
anti-federalists.
3. What is the purpose of this cartoon? Support your answer at least two details from the
picture.
The purpose of the cartoon is to inform people that the anti-federalists are holding the
nation back. I know this because of the cart being stuck in the mud and because it looks
like no one is trying to help the man in the cart except the nationalists and localists.

Document 3
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Answer the following question for the political cartoon:

1. Describe what you see in the cartoon.
In this political cartoon I see 13 columns. All of the 13 columns are joined together, but
one. At the top of the cartoon there is a saying that is warning the states must join
together.
2. Is this political cartoon representing the federalist or anti-federalist side? How do you
know?
This political cartoon is representing the federalist side. I know this because the political
cartoon is reminding the country that we are stronger when work together and when we
do not just focus on issues on a state level.
3. What is the purpose of this cartoon? Support your answer using details from the text.
The purpose of the cartoon is to remind the states to come together because if they dont
the country will fail and crumble.

Document 4

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Compulsive or treacherous measures to establish any government whatever, will always excite
jealousy among a free people: better remain single and alone, than blindly adopt whatever a few
individuals shall demand, be they ever so wise. I had rather be a free citizen of the small republic
of Massachusetts, than an oppressed subject of the great American empire. Anti-Federalist
Papers (1)
1. Why does the author talk about jealousy in regards to government?
The author talks about jealousy in regard to government because the author is trying to
warn people that big government can lead government officials to become jealous and
forget about the everyday people.
2. Why would the author rather be a free citizen of the small republicthan an oppressed
subject of the great American empire? How does the previous phrase support the AntiFederalist movement?
The phrase in the above question supports the Anti-Federalist because the AntiFederalists did not want the government to have too much power because they were
afraid the person/people in power would abuse their power.

Essay Question
Directions: Write a well-organized essay. The essay must include an introduction, at least three
body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The essay must also include evidence from at least two of

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the documents to support your essay. Consider supporting the essay with other relevant facts,
examples, and details learned in class.

Historical Context: The United States just won the Revolutionary War. The Articles of
Confederation are the law of the land, but the Articles of Confederation have created many issues
that threaten the country.

Task: You must answer all parts of the task. Use the lines on the next two pages to complete all
parts of the task. If you need more paper please raise your hand to ask for more.
1. Pick a side to support, Federalist or Anti-Federalist.
2. Tell why you support either the Federalists or Anti-Federalists.
3. Convince the other side why they should support your side. Be sure to tell the other side
how your sides vision is better for the future of the United States.

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