Unit IV
Scholarly Activity: Constitution Comparison Worksheet
Page 1: Fill in the blanks below with the appropriate answers.
Page 2: Complete the essay in a minimum of 200 words.
Table 1 Instructions: Compare the Articles of Confederation and Constitution by filling out the blanks below.
Comparison Articles of Confederation Constitution
Ratification Year (1.) 1781 1788
Votes 1 vote per state 2 Senate votes + proportional House
votes
Legislature (2.) unicameral Bicameral
Courts State courts only Separate Judicial Branch
President Presided over Congress (3.) Executive branch
Trade State controlled Federally controlled
Passing Laws Consensus of (4.) 9 states Congressional majority and presidential
signature
Tax Laws State controlled Federally controlled
Control of military Congress Congress
Currency State Issued Federally Issued
Amendments Required the consent of (5.) all 2/3 Congress and 3/4 of states
states
Table 2 Instructions: Fill out the missing words from the United States Bill of Rights.
Amendment 1 Right to freedoms of (6.) religion and speech; right to assemble and to (7.) petition
the government for redress of grievances
Amendment 2 Right to keep and bear arms to maintain a well-regulated (8.) militia
Amendment 3 Right not to house (9.) house during time of war
Amendment 4 Right to be secure from unreasonable (10.) search and (11.) seizure
Amendment 5 Rights in criminal cases, including to (12.) due process and indictment by grand jury
for capital crimes, as well as the right not to testify against oneself
Amendment 6 Right to a speedy (13.) trial by an impartial jury
Amendment 7 Right to a (14.) jury trial in civil cases
Amendment 8 Right not to face excessive (15.) bail or fines, or (16.) cruel and (17.) unusual
punishment
Amendment 9 Rights retained by the (18.) people, even if they are not specifically (19.)
enumerated by the Constitution
Amendment 10 (20.) States’ rights to powers not specifically delegated to the federal government
1
Below, compare and contrast the philosophies of the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists that emerged
during the time period of the Constitutional Convention through the ratification of the U.S. Constitution
(roughly the late 1780s). In your answer, make sure to also include how the philosophies of both parties were
reflective of the American society of the time.
Your response must be at least 200 words in length.
The Federalists and the Anti-Federalist were among the first established political parties that were
able to make direct influence on the new nation. Although they had the same overall goal, their path
of achieving that goal differed enough to create turmoil among the leaders and people. Both parties
believed in a free nation that should compete with other world economies, but how they should
operate as a nation created struggle.
The Federalist was strong supporters of the Constitution. They believed that a centralized republic
would provide the best solution for the nation’s future. Hamilton, an advocate for the constitution,
believed in the central government taxing the people to help pay for its debt built up during the war.
Hamilton’s program helped push forward the American economy. Thomas Jefferson felt that this
was unfair to the common man as a central government created separate classes of economies.
Jefferson believed that self-sufficient, property-owning farmers held the key to the success and
longevity of the American republic. With political power still being linked to property rights, this
prevented many citizens from being able to vote or hold office. Federalist were still in strong favor
of the traditional roles between men and women. Federalist thought equal amongst all was
ridiculous.
The Anti-Federalist felt the Constitution created too much centralized power and that it was meant
to give profit to the already wealthy. They believed in small government power. The states should
have the ability run as they see fit. Their goals were to prevent the growth of the small elite and to
promote the public good. They wanted lower taxes and were not supportive of a national bank.
Although the Anti-Federalist were not considered a political party, many united demanding
protection of individual rights which lead to states creating the Bill of Rights as a condition of
acceptance to the Constitution.