THE FEDERALIST NUMBER 10
James Madison ~ 1787
Name ____________________________
1. Read the first paragraph of the document and answer the following questions.
a. What does Madison say is one of the greatest advantages of a “well-constructed Union”?
b. What three things had been the “mortal disease” of popular governments in the past?
c.
What were the three complaints “everywhere heard” about governments in the United States?
2. Explain in your own words Madison’s definition of a faction.
3. According to Madison, what are the two ways of “curing the mischiefs of faction”?
a.
b.
4. According to Madison, by what two ways can the causes of faction be removed and what does he think of
each of these ways?
a.
b.
5. In the paragraph that begins, “The latent causes of faction. . . ,” what does Madison say is the “most
common and durable” source of factions?
6. In your own words, state the conclusion Madison reaches in the paragraph that begins, “The inference
to which we are brought . . .”
7. Read the paragraph that begins, “If a faction consists . . .” and answer the following questions.
a. What does Madison mean by the “republican principle”?
b. What happens when a majority is included in a faction?
8. According to the paragraph that begins, “By what means . . .” in what two ways can the danger of a
majority faction be prevented?
9. According to the paragraph that begins, “From this view. . .” can a pure democracy solve the problems of
faction? Quote a phrase from the paragraph to support your answer.
10. How does Madison define a republic in the paragraph that begins, “A republic, . . .”?
11. In the paragraph that begins, “The two great points . . .” what does Madison say are the two main
differences between a democracy and a republic?
12. According to the paragraph that begins, “The other point of difference . . . “ what is one advantage of a
republic over a democracy?
13. State in your own words the main idea of the paragraph that begins, “Hence it clearly appears . . .”
14. In one sentence of your own words, state the basic idea of this document.