Instruction
While it may seem obvious to us today that the government created by the Constitution is clearly the workable solution to the fundamental problems of the day, it was not to Americans in 1787. The struggle for ratification was long and difficult and the debates were quite heated.
To get started you are to read the transcript of Patrick Henry’s speech to Virginia’s ratifying convention.
As you read, note the objections that he had to the proposed government. His argument is a good summary of the anti-federalist’s objections. I have also provided a list of Henry’s objections.
He stated in his speech that “Suspicion is a virtue, as long as its object is the preservation of the public good, and as long as it stays within proper bounds.” What do you think he meant by that?
The next part of your discussion is to read Federalist #s 10 and 14. You will find them in the link provided in the folder, but make sure to click on the right numbers (10 and 14). As you can see from this site, there were a number of federalist papers.
In these, you will find Madison’s response to two of the anti-federalist objections. I want you to find these two arguments and summarize them. Do you think these arguments sufficiently answers Henry’s concerns?
The third part of your discussion is to speculate if any of Henry’s objections actually came true in our current form of Federal government. Elaborate.