Foundations of American Government
Chapter two covers the founding of the United States, which includes the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. These documents are still relevant to understanding American government today. The Articles of Confederation, while no longer a governing document, provides a historic background to the division and sometimes still conflicting interests of the State and National governments. As you read chapter two, you should read these three important documents (Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and Constitution). The documents are all located in the textbook. After reading the documents answer the following questions in your essay.
Federalist or Anti-Federalists – Please watch the video Empire of Reason, as you are watching evaluate the arguments for and against the Constitution and analyze how those arguments from 200 years ago apply to the United States today.
http://faculty.polytechnic.org/gfeldmeth/chart.fed.pdf
- Anti-Federalists vs. the Federalists – Briefly define the competing interests of the federalists and anti-federalists.
- Identify one argument from each side stated in the video and explain the importance of this concern then and now. Please be specific in your identifications and applications.
- Which position (federalist or anti-federalist) do you find more persuasive and why?
- What did the United States gain from this debate and what questions have remained?
Once you have posted your response, the other students’ responses will appear. Please read over the other students’ response and then reply to at least one classmate. In your reply identify something you had not previously been aware of or something which challenges you to think differently.
Your initial post must be at least 300 words. List all web resources and referenced materials that were used. You must use the APA citation style format in listing references used and in parenthetical citations