Advanced Placement United States History

Federalism

Anti-Federalism

Necessity of union

Republican government can be national (continental), Democracy must be smaller

Best Republican government = local. In a large republic, favoritism is “easily perceived” (unavoidable?).

National government would not take power away from state or local governments

Putting power into the hands of a few à abuse of power à monarchy. Republican government over large territory must become stronger to keep order à less power locally

Purpose of Constitution is to unify the states (same purpose as Articles of Confederation)

Republican government can never form a perfect union, (etc. – see preamble to Constitution) because faction & abuse of power are unavoidable

National government will improve transportation & communication infrastructure – unifying West with East

Outlying states (GA) need union to protect against increased risk of foreign attack

Government needs the power to preserve itself – states would kill congress if they had power over federal elections

If the power to decide on elections is taken away from state governments, will state governments cease to exist? The federalist argument that states would kill congress is an absurd argument – without any foundation; Not abolishing congress is in best interest of state governments

Power in central government allows the government flexibility to change with the times.

Abuse of power as likely at state level as at federal level

Senate cannot be impartial – Senate is dependant on the president; Congress would be able to establish a remote location for the election, allowing them to control elections; Argument that congress won’t about power is an absurd argument, without foundation

Constitution designed to protect federal government from states – only general public can abolish Senate

Give leaders of the country the power they need as they need it – don’t give them unlimited power

Without a strong central government, America faces the death of the confederacy

Common defense: army needs to be under central control because America needs the ability to respond strongly to internal and external threats - power should not be limited (for the good of the nation)

Against national tax: central government cannot know local needs, so how can they represent us in taxation?

The state will have no power to help anyone who is abused by the national government

National government is not controlled by the purse string

Government should “naturally” divide itself into three branches – separations of power

Bill of Rights

Constitution needs to be reworked

Supreme Court should have the power to . . .

No checks on power of Supreme Court à Supreme Court is too powerful

Supreme Court judges should be chosen by the people so the judicial authority is not so independent

Constitution was written in secret without the will of the people

In order to respect persons, most decisions of conscience and dispute should be kept local

Basic individual rights need to be protected

Separate states would act like separate countries – bickering, wars between states, etc.

States would sacrifice individual rights to protect themselves (standing armies, etc).

Larger states would override (conquer) smaller states

America needs a national standing army to keep peace

If America can keep the peace, we will remain at peace because we lack aggressors surrounding us – a large standing is not necessary

Centralized army allows for better training and organization

Strong central government can keep the power of the army in check

Being able to threaten use of military force will result in less need to actually use military force