1. Identify the achievements and problems of the Confederation government.
2. Explain how the major disagreements and compromises molded the final content of the Constitution.
3. Explain how the Anti-Federalist concerns raised during the ratification process led to the creation of the Bill of Rights.
4. Explain how the definition of citizenship in the new republic excluded Native Americans and African-Americans.
• What were the primary weaknesses and strengths of the Articles of Confederation?
• Why was ratification of the Constitution not a foregone conclusion? What were the basic arguments for and against ratification put forth by Federalists and Anti-Federalists?
• Were the fears of the Anti-Federalists realistic? How did the Federalists deal with the Anti-Federalists’ concerns?
• What does “republicanism” mean? Why was America a republic and not a democracy?
• How did blacks and Indians fit into the new political order created by the Constitution of 1787? What liberties were extended or denied them?
• What was the Naturalization Act of 1790, and how did it shape the future America?
• Can you put yourself in the shoes of the Federalist and the Anti-Federalists? What was each side interests and what made them against their opposition?