Federalist 10
"Federalist 10 is one of 85 essays advocating for the ratification of the United States Constitution. Federalist 10 was written by James Madison and published on November 22, 1787 under the pseudonym Publius. In this essay, Madison addresses the question of how to guard against "factions," or groups of citizens, with interests that are contrary to the rights of others or the interests of the community as a whole. Madison defined factions as groups of citizens with opinions, passions, or interests contrary to the interests of others or the well-being of others. These groups of citizens saw factions as irreconcilable differences that could not be negotiated or compromised (i.e. war, divorce).
Step 1: Open and print a copy of Federalist 10 and a summary (you will need to click on the box in front of Federalist 10 to display the summary) to help as you read through the essay.
Step 2: Download the handout "Federalist 10 Activity" to complete as you work through reading the essay. Finish the word chart on page 1 of your "Federalist 10 Activity" handout.
Step 3: Download and complete the "Current Issues Spectrum" handout. Use your responses to answer the short answer question on page 2 of the "Federalist 10 Activity."
Step 4: After completing the APPARTS organizer, respond to the essay prompt on the next page. Your essay should be well-organized and respond to specific points discussed in Federalist 10.
Step 5: Save and submit the completed "Federalist 10" activities, including your essay.DEFINING AND UNDERSTANDING THE MEANING OF “FACTION” WHAT ARE THE DANGERS OF FACTIONS? DEFINITION: Madison defined factions as groups of citizens with opinions, passions, or interests contrary to the interests of others or the well-being of others. These groups of citizens saw factions as irreconcilable differences that could not be negotiated or compromised (i.e. war, divorce). FACTION DEFINITION IN MY OWN WORDS: PERSONAL ASSOCIATION/CHARACTERISTIC: Bolton, Natalie and Gordon Lloyd. “Federalist 10: Democratic Republican Government vs. Pure Democratic Government.” Teaching American History.org. 2011. http://teachingamericanhistory.org/lessonplans/fed10.html SHORT ANSWER (respond after completing the Current Issues Spectrum handout): If the government has to make decisions on how to address the current issue, is it better to have every individual’s voice be heard on every current event issue OR is it better to have a representative from each of the anchors on the scale of each issue share their opinions? Are voices more powerful if they come from a large group of people together or from people who share the same ideas but live far apart from one another? Bolton, Natalie and Gordon Lloyd. “Federalist 10: Democratic Republican Government vs. Pure Democratic Government.” Teaching American History.org. 2011. http://teachingamericanhistory.org/lessonplans/fed10.html USING APPARTS TO ANALYZE Federalist 10 To understand history or politics it is essential that you learn to critically examine significant primary source documents. Complete the APPARTS chart to assist you in understanding the importance of Federalist 10. AUTHOR Who created the source? What do you know about the author? What is the author’s point of view? PLACE AND TIME Where and when was the source produced? How might this affect the meaning of the source? PRIOR KNOWLEDGE Beyond information about the author and the context of its creation, what do you know that would help you further understand the primary source? AUDIENCE For whom was the source created and how might this affect the reliability of the source? REASON Why was this source produced at the time it was produced? THE MAIN IDEA What main idea is the source trying to convey? What is the central message of the document? SIGNIFICANCE Why is this source important? What inferences can you draw from this document? Ask yourself, “So what?” What should a student of history or politics take away from the analysis of the document? Bolton, Natalie and Gordon Lloyd. “Federalist 10: Democratic Republican Government vs. Pure Democratic Government.” Teaching American History.org. 2011. http://teachingamericanhistory.org/lessonplans/fed10.html ESSAY TOPIC: In 4 to 5 paragraphs, using your APPARTS analysis, write a reply to James Madison explaining if you agree or disagree with his perspective on the best form of government for the United States to protect individual liberties (i.e. Is the democratic republic form of government better than a pure democracy?). Bolton, Natalie and Gordon Lloyd. “Federalist 10: Democratic Republican Government vs. Pure Democratic Government.” Teaching American History.org. 2011. http://teachingamericanhistory.org/lessonplans/fed10.html Federalist 10 Current Issues and Faction? Resource Current Issues and are they a Faction? Instructions: Rate the eight current issues as being a faction or not and explain your rating. 1. Federally Funded Medical Program for All Not Faction Not Sure Faction The national government establishes a federally funded medical program so that all persons have equal access to medical services. Explain: 2. Prayer in Public Schools Not Faction Not Sure Faction It should be legal and constitutional to say prayer at the beginning of assemblies in public schools. Explain: Federalist 10 Current Issues and Faction? Resource 3. Jihad Not Faction Not Sure Faction The legal, compulsory, communal effort to expand the territories ruled by Muslims at the expense of territories ruled by non-Muslims Explain: 4. Sale of Weapons for Hunt and Sport Not Faction Not Sure Faction Laws should not be passed that limit the sale of certain types of weapons that are used for hunting or other legitimate sporting purposes. Explain: 5. Abortion Not Faction Not Sure Faction The termination of a pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo, resulting in or caused by its death.