Lesson
Sorting Views of the Federalists and Anti-Federalists
Guiding question
What were the principles of the new Constitution and how did they shape the debate between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists during the ratification debate?
What were the key arguments for and against ratification of the Constitution, and how were the debates shaped by constitutional principles?
Founding Principles
Guiding Questions
- What were the principles of the new Constitution and how did they shape the debate between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists during the ratification debate?
- What were the key arguments for and against ratification of the Constitution, and how were the debates shaped by constitutional principles?
Objectives
- Students will use recently acquired knowledge to sort views and opinions of the Federalists and Anti-Federalists.
- Students will consider the dialogue, compromise, and contention surrounding the ratification of the constitution.
Materials
Student Resources:
- Federalist or Anti-Federalist Sort Handout
- Principles of the Founding Primary Source Set
- Highlighters (3 colors)
- Scissors and glue
Lesson Components
ActivityPrinciples of the Founding Middle School Primary Source Set
Color-code documents to indicate the principles of natural rights, equality and justice.
ActivityFederalist v. Anti-Federalist Cut and Sort Middle School Handout
Understand the key arguments of Federalists and Anti-Federalists.
Lesson plan
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More Information
Facilitation Notes
- This lesson plan is scaffolded to give students the arguments of the Federalists and Anti-Federalists in the debate surrounding the Constitution and Bill of Rights. If your students require more challenge check out the following activities from other BRI curriculums:
- Federalist and Anti-Federalist Venn Diagram
- Were the Anti-Federalists Induly Suspicious or Insightful Political Thinkers
- Understanding Positions of Federalists and Anti-Federalists
- Federalists and Anti-federalists Debate Congressional Powers
- Anti-Federalist Objections to the Constitution
Standards
Related materials
ActivityFed Up Government and Politics Card Game
A prognostication opinion game that surfaces the dynamic between The Federalists, who drafted the Constitution as the highest law of the land, and the Anti-Federalists who wanted to ensure that the people had an individual Bill of Rights.