Name:________________________________________________ Class Period:_________

The Constitution – Balancing Competing Interests

PART A. Colonists’ experience with British rule and the Article of Confederation gave rise to considerable apprehension about the placement of power in a new government. The Founding Fathers attempted to address these fears through various compromises to safeguard the interests of competing groups. The following chart lists some of these key concerns and fears. Research the Constitution and related sources to identify the cause of each fear and how one or more provisions of the Constitution calmed that fear.

Key Concern Source of Fear Provision or Solution to

this fear

Representation

- Fear of large states - Fear of the people (mass democracy) - Fear of losing individual rights

Slavery

- Fear of impact on economy - Fear of change in representation

Trade / Economics

- Fear of other states and how it might impact trade/economy - Fear of certain economic groups gaining more power than others

Presidency & Legislature

- Fear of a weak central government - Fear of central government - Fear of strong executive - Fear of no means of protection against internal disorder and foreign infringement

PART B.

Debating the Constitution

Federalists Anti-Federalists

Leaders Major figures who were a part of each

group and which colony they represented.

Arguments

What were their main arguments or beliefs concerning the Constitution?

Strategy The items or things they argued to

support their argument or the items used to invalidate the other side’s

argument.

Advantages What advantages did this group have over the other that would help push

their ideas forward at the convention?

Disadvantages What disadvantages this group have

that would hinder their argument and ideas at the convention?