The Impact of the New Constitution on Americans' Freedom and Prosperity
Why do you think the pewterers believed that the new Constitution would promote Americans’ freedom and prosperity, as stated in the inscription?
The Pewterers felt that the Constitution would be able to allow them to practice their arts freely, without interference from the government. This would allow themselves, and by extension, the country to prosper. The pewter that they used in their inscriptions was of the highest quality, and they felt the same way about the new Constitution.
Final answer:
The pewterers, as Federalists, believed the new constitution would promote freedom and prosperity by creating a stronger, centralized government that protected citizens' rights. The Anti-Federalists opposed this view, fearing it would concentrate too much power in a national government run by an elite class.
The pewterers and other supporters of the new U.S. Constitution, known as Federalists, viewed that a centralized government would bring a better future for American citizens. They believed that the new Constitution, aside from promoting a stronger government, would promote Americans' freedom and prosperity. They expected the Constitution to maintain order and protect the rights of life, liberty, and property of the citizens.
These believers were opposed by the Anti-Federalists. Anti-Federalists worried that the Constitution would consolidate all power into a national government, thereby undermining state powers. They also expressed concerns that this powerful national government would be run by wealthy aristocrats and the elite, and not be representative of ordinary citizens.
The Federalists, in contrast, saw the Constitution as a necessary and pragmatic compromise that tackled the shortcomings of the previous revolutionary government. Adopting the Bill of Rights further alleviated some of the Anti-Federalists' opposition and awarded further legitimacy to the federal government. Ultimately, the new Constitution succeeded in its aim of creating a stronger, more centralized government, which is why its proponents, like the pewterers, believed it would forward freedom and prosperity.