Question

ss.912.cg.1.3 - the federalist papers & ratification
reading passage
after the american revolution, the united states first tried to govern under the articles of confederation. this system was too weak: the national government could not tax, regulate trade, or enforce laws effectively. to fix this, delegates created the u.s. constitution in 1787. not everyone agreed with ratifying the new constitution. supporters of ratification, called federalists, wrote a series of essays known as the federalist papers. these essays explained why the constitution should be adopted and why a republican form of government was best. the federalist papers presented several key arguments: 1. stronger central government - the articles were too weak. a stronger government was necessary to provide national defense, regulate trade, and keep order. (federalist no. 23 - hamilton) 2. checks and balances - to prevent any branch of government from becoming too powerful, the constitution created separation of powers. each branch would check the other. (federalist no. 51 - madison) 3. large republic advantage - some feared a large republic would fail, but madison argued the opposite. with many groups and interests, no single faction could dominate. (federalist no. 10 - madison) 4. republican government - in a republic, the people elect representatives to govern. federalists believed this system would best protect liberty while promoting the public good. the federalist papers were persuasive and helped secure ratification of the constitution. they remain important today for understanding the foundations of american government.
guiding questions

1. why did the federalists argue for a stronger central government?
2. how does the system of checks and balances prevent tyranny?
3. what was madisons argument in federalist no. 10 about factions?
4. why did the federalists believe a republican form of government was best?
5. how did the federalist papers influence ratification of the constitution?

worksheet
part a: matching
1 federalist no. 10 a strong national defense and government powers
2 federalist no. 23 b. a large republic limits the influence of factions
3 federalist no. 51 c. separation of powers with checks and balances
part b: short response

1. what was one major weakness of the articles of confederation that the federalists wanted to fix?
2. how does a large republic help protect individual rights?
3. explain in your own words why checks and balances are important.

Explanation:

1. Guiding Questions:

• The Federalists argued for a stronger central government to provide national defense, regulate trade, and keep order as the Articles of Confederation were too weak.
• The system of checks - and - balances prevents tyranny by creating separation of powers where each branch “checks” the other, thus preventing any one branch from becoming too powerful.
• In Federalist No. 10, Madison argued that in a large republic, with many groups and interests, no single faction could dominate.
• The Federalists believed a republican form of government was best because the people elect representatives to govern, which they thought would best protect liberty while promoting the public good.
• The Federalist Papers were persuasive and helped secure ratification of the Constitution by explaining why the Constitution should be adopted.

1. Part A: Matching

• Federalist No. 10: Madison argued that a large republic limits the influence of factions, so it matches with b.
• Federalist No. 23: Argued for strong national defense and government powers, so it matches with a.
• Federalist No. 51: Discussed separation of powers with checks and balances, so it matches with c.

1. Part B: Short Response

• One major weakness of the Articles of Confederation that the Federalists wanted to fix was that the national government could not tax, regulate trade, or enforce laws effectively.
• A large republic helps protect individual rights because with a multitude of interests and groups, no single faction can easily trample on the rights of others as there are many competing voices and interests that must be considered.
• Checks and balances are important because they prevent any one branch of government from amassing too much power, ensuring that power is distributed and that no single entity can act tyrannically.

Answer:

Guiding Questions Answers

1. To provide national defense, regulate trade, and keep order as the Articles of Confederation were too weak.
2. By creating separation of powers where each branch “checks” the other to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
3. In a large republic, with many groups and interests, no single faction could dominate.
4. Because the people elect representatives to govern, which they thought would best protect liberty while promoting the public good.
5. They were persuasive and helped secure ratification by explaining why the Constitution should be adopted.

Part A: Matching

1. b
2. a
3. c

Part B: Short Response

1. The national government could not tax, regulate trade, or enforce laws effectively.
2. With a multitude of interests and groups, no single faction can easily trample on the rights of others.
3. They prevent any one branch of government from amassing too much power.