1. List and briefly explain the three requirements the text outlines for one to be a true “citizen.”

Knowledge of government: Citizens must understand one’s own political rights.

Knowledge of politics: Citizens must understand the capacity to discern their own interests in the political arena and identify the best means through which to realize them.

Knowledge of democratic principles: Citizens need to understand the forms of political conduct are consistent with democratic principles and be aware of and respect the constraints upon their political activities.

2. Define the three basic American ideals of liberty, equality, and democracy.

Liberty- Freedom from government control.

Equality- Each person should be given a fair chance to go as far as his or her talents will allow. Equality also implies the government’s obligation to the people. Political equality means that citizens have the right to participate in politics on equal terms.

Democracy- The essence of democracy is the participation of the people in choosing their rulers and the people’s ability to influence what those rules do. In a sense, democracy political power ultimately comes from the people (popular sovereignty.

3. Discuss the positions taken by Federalists and Antifederalists, and what each group accomplished.

The Federalists defended the principles of the constitutions. The Federalist Papers published by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison defended the principles of the Constitution and was also meant to clarify the benefits of the principles.

Antifederalists supported a vision of a looser confederacy of small republics. They feared government power would become to enlarged and ultimately result in a tyranny. The Antifederalists handed out pamphlets and letters written by Richard Henry Lee, which highlighted the differences between the opinions of Federalists and Antifederalists.

4. List and discuss the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation that caused its replacement by the Constitution.

Here is a list of weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation that caused its replacement by the Constitution:

The government could not enforce the states to obey its laws. Had no power to tax. Congress lacked a consistent leadership. There was no national military. There were no systems of national courts. Each state could issue its own currency. Each state could put tariffs on trade between other states.

The Articles of Confederation ultimately failed because they placed too much power in the hands of the states. The lack of a steady, national government led to economic disorganization, lack of central leadership, and legislative inefficiencies caused an erratic place for living and was therefore replaced by the Constitution.