Other
History.library Point: John Francis Mercer: A Neglected Patriot
An interesting article on the life of the delegate from Maryland to the Constitutional Convention who eventually walked out (along with his fellow delegate Luther Martin) and fell into the anti-Federalist camp.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: The Debates on Diversity and the Extended Republic
For this Curriculum Unit, students will consider "The Federalist and Anti-Federalist Debates on Diversity and the Extended Republic" in 2 Lessons. The unit also includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Balancing Power Between State and Federal Governments
In this lesson plan, students will consider "The Federalist Debates: Balancing Power Between State and Federal Governments." The plan includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: A New Kind of Federalism
Overview of the reasons and purposes of a Federalist government in which federal and state governments share concurrent powers as proposed and outlined in the Federalist Papers.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Ratification and Bill of Rights
This site is provided for by the University of Groningen. Learn about the struggle for approval by the states of the U.S. Constitution, continuous disagreements after the Constitutional Convention between the Federalists and the...
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Hamilton vs. Jefferson
The conflict that took shape in the 1790s between the Federalists and the Antifederalists exercised a profound impact on American history. The Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton, who had married into the wealthy Schuyler family,...
History Tools
History Tools: Centinel Criticizes the Proposed Constitution [Pdf]
Historical document excerpt written in opposition to federalist proposal, October, 1787. Argued against the formation of a federal government and criticized the proposed Constitution. Numbered paragraphs added and spelling modernized.
Digital History
Digital History: The Debate Over Ratifying the Constitution [Pdf]
Read about why ratification of the United States' new constitution was such a struggle. Find arguments for and against ratification, and discover who supported the Federalist position and who the Anti-Federalist position. [PDF]
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Antifederalists
The Anti-federalists, those who opposed the ratification of the Constitution, were a diverse group. They did have specific fears about carrying out the precepts of the Constitution. Read about their fears, especially the main one, no...
Other
Gunston Hall Plantation: Mason Objects
In this set of activities, students learn what George Mason's objections were to the U.S. Constitution. They then evaluate them through a class discussion and divide into groups to hold a debate about the disagreement between the...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Antifederalists' Victory in Defeat
By 1788 eleven states ratified the Constitution, more than enough to put it into effect as the document establishing rules for the nation. Read about the goals of the Federalists in estabilishing a national government and find out how...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Bill of Rights
The Constitution spelled out the powers of the national government, but many Anti-federalists felt there should be equally explicit a guarantee of individual rights. Read about the compiliation of what became known as the Bill of Rights...
University of Groningen
American History: Biographies: Alexander Hamilton
This site is provided for by the University of Groningen. Alexander Hamilton represented the growing movement towards a strong national government. Read the beginning stages of the nationalist movement, the conflicting ideas of state...
Digital History
Digital History: Rise of Democratic Politics
Although difficult to comprehend, after the demise of the Federalists, there was essentially just one political party in the United States for about a decade. Read about the rise of the new two-party system and how the attack on...
University of Groningen
American History: Biographies: George Mason 1725 1792 Introduction
This site is provided for by the University of Groningen. Leader of the Anti-federalist faction against strong national government, Mason fought the ratification of the U.S. Constitution for protection for individual rights; read this...
Utah State University
American Journey: Comparison of Articles of Confederation and the Constitution
Two informative charts, one of which compares the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution, the other which lays out the positions of the Federalists and Anti-Federalists concerning the Constitution.
University of Chicago
The Founders' Constitution: Letter From George Mason to T. Jefferson
This letter from George Mason shows his Anti-Federalist opinions and opposition to a planned centralized government.
Library of Congress
Loc: American Memory: George Washington to James Madison, 1787
Read George Washington's observations of the delegates, particularly the Anti-Federalists, at the Constitutional Convention, and the objections the opposition presented, which Washington cites in the letter. View an image of the original...
US National Archives
Nara: Charters of Freedom: Constitution of the United States
Comprehensive overview of the U.S. Constitution. Places the Constitution in context with two other founding charters of American democracy and government, the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. Includes access to digital...
Teaching American History
Teaching American History: The Antifederalists
Find out who the Antifederalists were and what their mission was. What were the three categories the Antifederalists were sorted into?
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: America in Class: Making of a Revolution: Constitution, 1787 1791
Seven sections of primary resource materials with introductory notes, classroom discussion questions, and supplemental links on the questions, discussion and debate over the U.S. Constitution.
PBS
Pbs Liberty!: Congress Adds a Bill of Rights
Informative site recounting the events of December 15, 1791, when the Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution. Learn about the Bill of Rights and the freedoms it was designed to protect!
University of Missouri
Exploring Constitutional Conflicts: The Constitutional Convention of 1787
One word can sum up the Constitutional Convention of 1787 - compromise. Find out which compromises were made and by which groups of people and/or states. This expansive site includes background on the convention, primary source...
University of North Carolina
University of North Carolina: Constitution 101 [Pdf]
Provides a good basic introduction to the Constitution. Explains the founding principles, checks and balances, the rationale for it, the accomplishments of the Constitutional Convention, the debate and ratification, the structure of the...