Supporters of a new constitution that strengthened the federal government included American leaders James Madison, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton. ... In his 1788 essay "The Federalist, No. LI, delegate to the Constitutional Convention and former delegate to the Congress of the Confederation from Virginia James Madison argued the importance of establishing a system of checks and balances among the U.S. government's different branches. ... Madison believed government needed to control itself. ... The nation's ideas developed from Washington, Hamilton, Jefferson, and Madison. ...

• Word Count: 1434
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

The Republicans, under Jefferson and Madison, believed that individual rights are imperative to the success of the union rather than a strong federal government. ... However, Hamilton's Republican opponents, under the leadership of James Madison, purposely blocked the approval of his proposal. ... The Federalists, however, countered Madison's concerns by stating that a country can only function with a strong government. ... Republicans feared the new federal government would consume them, while Federalists acted oblivious to the evils of complete power. ... Arguments between Federal...

• Word Count: 1518
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Initially when the constitution was drafted, the anti federalists opposed it on the grounds that it gave too much power to the national government. ... Thus, James Madison argued in Federalist no. 10 that it would be in a large Federalist republic such as the United States, that one would find the greatest opportunity for all relevant interests to be heard. ...

• Word Count: 1375
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Jefferson expressed in a letter to James Madison that he liked much of the Constitution and agreed that the greater house should be chosen by the people, yet he felt that the people would choose persons not qualified to legislate. ... Thomas Jefferson considered himself neither Federalist nor Anti-Federalist. ... Jefferson felt that because he opposed some of the Federalists ideas and many more of the Anti-federalists ideas that he could not be grouped with either party or in between the parties. ...

• Word Count: 1667
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

The U.S. Constitution Article Five, clause two of the United States Constitution states, "under the Authority of the United States, [the Constitution] shall be the supreme law of the land." As a result of the fact that the current activist government is pursuing inconsistent policies, many believe the Constitution has become irrelevant because no guiding principles seem to exist. Thomas Jefferson once said, "The Constitution belongs to the living and not to the dead." Accordingly, it is often referred to as a "living" document because of its regular alteration and ...

• Word Count: 2367
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: High School