Paragraph 1
1. The Founding Fathers were aware of the skepticism and problems that would
have to be overcome in order for government to succeed in the U.S.
Federalist #10 addresses one of these problems. What is the problem that is
identified in this paragraph? (Hint: This problem causes government to be
unstable and contributes to its “unsteadiness and injustice.”)
Paragraph 2
2. Define: faction
3. In your own words, explain why the author considers factions to be dangerous to
republican government.
Paragraph 3
4. What are the two ways in which factions can be cured?
Paragraphs 7 through 9
5. What is the most common cause for the development of factions? Is it eliminable?
6. What is the traditional role of government on this issue?
7. Summarize the author’s four arguments as to why it is not possible to remove the causes of factions.
Paragraph 11
8. How can a minority faction be controlled?
Paragraph 12
9. How can a majority faction be controlled?
Paragraph 13
10. Define: pure democracy
11. Why is pure democracy often considered the ideal government?
12. Why, according to the author, can’t pure democracies deal justly with majority factions?
Paragraph 15
13. How is it that republics, especially large ones, can deal more effectively with the problems generated by majority factions? (look for two reasons)
Paragraph 19
14. In trying to anticipate any possible arguments against his reasoning, the author
acknowledges that representative government requires a balance between too
many electors and too few electors.
What is the problem with too many electors?
What is the problem with too few?
15. Why does the author believe that the (new) federal Constitution provides the necessary balance?
Paragraph 21
16. For what three reasons does the author believe that large republics have an
advantage over small ones and that the Union (national government) has over
small republics (the states)?
Conclusion
WHY DO YOU THINK FEDERALIST #10 IS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT
DOCUMENTS IN U.S. HISTORY?
1. The Founding Fathers were aware of the skepticism and problems that would
have to be overcome in order for government to succeed in the U.S.
Federalist #10 addresses one of these problems. What is the problem that is
identified in this paragraph? (Hint: This problem causes government to be
unstable and contributes to its “unsteadiness and injustice.”)
Paragraph 2
2. Define: faction
3. In your own words, explain why the author considers factions to be dangerous to
republican government.
Paragraph 3
4. What are the two ways in which factions can be cured?
Paragraphs 7 through 9
5. What is the most common cause for the development of factions? Is it eliminable?
6. What is the traditional role of government on this issue?
7. Summarize the author’s four arguments as to why it is not possible to remove the causes of factions.
Paragraph 11
8. How can a minority faction be controlled?
Paragraph 12
9. How can a majority faction be controlled?
Paragraph 13
10. Define: pure democracy
11. Why is pure democracy often considered the ideal government?
12. Why, according to the author, can’t pure democracies deal justly with majority factions?
Paragraph 15
13. How is it that republics, especially large ones, can deal more effectively with the problems generated by majority factions? (look for two reasons)
Paragraph 19
14. In trying to anticipate any possible arguments against his reasoning, the author
acknowledges that representative government requires a balance between too
many electors and too few electors.
What is the problem with too many electors?
What is the problem with too few?
15. Why does the author believe that the (new) federal Constitution provides the necessary balance?
Paragraph 21
16. For what three reasons does the author believe that large republics have an
advantage over small ones and that the Union (national government) has over
small republics (the states)?
Conclusion
WHY DO YOU THINK FEDERALIST #10 IS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT
DOCUMENTS IN U.S. HISTORY?