Government and politics concepts · AP U.S. Government and Politics, AP U.S. History
Brutus No. 1
Brutus No. 1: An Anti-Federalist essay arguing that the proposed Constitution would create a national government too powerful and a republic too large to represent the people.
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What it means
Writing under the pen name Brutus, the author warned that the necessary and proper clause and the supremacy clause would allow the national government to absorb the powers of the states. He argued that a republic as large as the United States could not reflect the people's interests and would drift toward tyranny.
Brutus No. 1 is the main counterpoint to Federalist No. 10 in the AP Gov course.
Example
Brutus would argue that a representative from a large district cannot know or reflect the views of all the people in it, weakening the connection between citizens and government.
On the exam
Brutus No. 1 is a required foundational document and a strong source for responding to an alternative perspective in the argument essay.
Lessons and practice questions
Related terms
- Federalist No. 10James Madison's essay arguing that a large republic is the best way to control the effects of factions.
- Necessary and proper clauseThe clause in Article I, Section 8 that allows Congress to make all laws necessary and proper for carrying out its enumerated powers.
- Federalists and Anti-FederalistsThe supporters and opponents of ratifying the U.S. Constitution in 1787 and 1788.