Interpret the Evidence
Why does Cato oppose the Constitution (Document 7.11)? Why does he think a republican government would fail to work in the United States?
How does James Madison in Federalist 10 counter Cato’s argument about republican government in the United States (Document 7.12)? What does he outline as the dangers of factions? How would the government proposed under the Constitution reduce the strength of factions?
In Federalist 51, how does Madison argue in favor of separation of powers (Document 7.13)? What does he mean by “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition”? Does each branch of government have the same power?
Why, according to Brutus, did the Constitution need a bill of rights (Document 7.14)? How does he reference the states’ bills of rights? Why did he believe a bill of rights was actually more important at the federal level than at the state level?
Why did Alexander Hamilton argue against a bill of rights (Document 7.15)? Why did he believe the Constitution offered the best protection of individual liberties?
Why do you think the authors of these documents published them anonymously?
Put It in Context
How does the debate over the Constitution reflect Americans’ concern with the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation? How does it reflect their ambivalence over a strong central government?