Question

Compulsive or treacherous measures to establish any government whatever, will always excite jealousy among a free people: better remain single and alone, than blindly adopt whatever a few individuals shall demand, be they ever so wise. I had rather be a free citizen of the small republic of Massachusetts, than an oppressed subject of the great American empire.

Who have supported the ideas expressed in the passage?
A. Federalists
B. Anti-Federalists
C. both Federalists and Anti-Federalists
D. neither Federalists nor Anti-Federalists

Answer 1

The passage's ideas align with the Anti-Federalists, who preferred smaller republics and were wary of a strong central government potentially oppressing individual liberties.

Step-by-step explanation:

The ideas expressed in the passage are consistent with the viewpoints held by the Anti-Federalists, who opposed the creation of a strong central government and favored states' rights and individual liberties. They believed that a large republic, such as that proposed by the Constitution, would be less able to address the common interests of the people compared to smaller republics. Anti-Federalists were concerned that the national government would become oppressive and that the elite would dominate, potentially leading to a political aristocracy.