Constitution Clash

This passage explains how leaders met in 1787 to write the U.S. Constitution after realizing the Articles of Confederation were too weak. Federalists, led by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay, wanted a strong national government, while Anti-Federalists feared it would take away freedoms. The Federalists supported the Constitution and wrote essays to defend it, while Anti-Federalists argued it lacked a Bill of Rights. Eventually, a compromise was reached with the addition of the Bill of Rights. This debate shaped American democracy and still influences government today.

Reading this type of passage helps students improve comprehension by analyzing opposing viewpoints. It also builds vocabulary by introducing terms like “federalism,” “ratified,” and “compromise.” Students practice identifying main ideas and supporting details while strengthening their ability to summarize. Critical thinking is enhanced as students compare the arguments of both sides. Finally, exposure to historical texts improves grammar awareness and sentence structure understanding.