AP Gov Name_______________________ Per_____
DOCUMENT ANALYSIS:
BRUTUS 1
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FEDERALIST #10
ARTICLE 1: Brutus 1 (Anti-federalist Papers) by Robert Yates, Published 1787 Link to Brutus 1 with Annotations
A. Thesis: Write a (SHORT - think 3 sentences) paragraph and identify the author's thesis regarding the ratification of the
Constitution and the government it would create. (HINT: Thesis = the main idea or central argument of the document):
B. Supporting Evidence: Provide specific evidence/examples from the article that support your thesis. You may write on the back if
needed. NOTE: Don’t just provide a quote! You must explain how it is relevant to the thesis.
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The main idea of the argument of the document is trying to explain that the ratification of the constitution would interfere with
individual rights. As stated, he argues that it should be up to the people and the people interest and says that most of the
people do not want the ratification of the constitution for the same fear shared by Brutus. Overall, the fear and displeasure for
both the people now and those ‘unborn’ of their rights being violated is the main point of the document Brutus wrote.
In the document it states,”they have formed a constitution which will now, probably, be submitted to the people
to ratify or reject, who are the fountain of all power, to whom alone it of right belongs to make or unmake
constitutions, or forms of government, at their pleasure.” Trying to say that it should be up to the people and
their vote to ratify or pass any sort of federal document, especially in this case the Constitution. Thus, related
to the constitution on how Brutus is angry that most people don’t get a say in the new government that is trying
to be created by the federalist.
In the document it states,”and the golden age be, in some measure, realised. But if, on the other hand,
this form of government contains principles that will lead to the subversion of liberty—if it tends to
establish a despotism, or, what is worse, a tyrannic aristocracy; then, if you adopt it, this only remaining
assylum for liberty will be shut up, and posterity will execrate your memory.” Is stating that if this new
government fails under the constitution that the new generation of people will be blamed and punished
for a decision that they had no say over. Showing the fear that the anti-federalist, Brutus, has stated
before of the new government violating and failing for both the protection of the United States and the
protection of individual rights.
Brutus states in the document,”It might be here shewn, that the power in the federal legislative, to raise and
support armies at pleasure, as well in peace as in war, and their controul over the militia, tend, not only to a
consolidation of the government, but the destruction of liberty. —I shall not, however, dwell upon these, as a
few observations upon the judicial power of this government, in addition to the preceding, will fully evince
the truth of the position.” The quote from the document is stating that the legislative power trying to raise
and maintain a long standing and powerful army especially in times of peace may violate and destroy the
right of the people riiiiiiright of right of the people, liberty, and could cause a wave in power.
Right of the people, liberty, and could lead to a wave in unfairness of power
