Civics-4: Document Questions & Chapter 3 Essay

The Anti-Federalists’ Positions

Farmer #1 and Brutus #1

1. According to the Federal Farmer, what is the first possible form of “free government under which the United States may exist as one nation”? The second? The third?

2. Which of these three forms does the Federal Farmer prefer and why?

3. Why does the Federal Farmer reject the other two possible “forms” of government?

4. What reasons does Brutus give against reducing the thirteen states into “one great republic”?

Centinel #1, Brutus #1 and Brutus #4

1. What evidence does Centinel give to suggest that a large extended republic will result in dissention or rebellion among citizens?

2. In Brutus #1, why does Brutus believe that in an extended republic the government will eventually have to use force to rule the citizens?

3. In Brutus #1, why does Brutus believe that rulers in an extended republic will abuse their powers and violate the rights of citizens?

4. In Brutus #4, what problems will likely arise from having to few representatives in Congress?

5. In Brutus #4, why does Brutus believe that an extended republic will lead to an elite class of rulers distinct from the people?

6. What do you think Centinel and Brutus would think of American politics today?

Farmer #2

1. According to the Federal Farmer, what will be the greatest flaw with representation in an extended republic?

2. Why will the administration of justice be a problem in the extended republic according to the Federal Farmer?

3. Why would the “remote states” be at a disadvantage in the large republic?

Brutus #1

1. What qualities does Brutus say representatives should have in a republic?

2. Why would representation in a larger republic prevent the people from adequately giving their “assent to laws”?

3. What problems will a diversity of interests cause in a large republic?

The Federalists’ Positions

Federalist #1

1. According to Hamilton, what is “the most formidable of obstacles” the new Constitution would face?

2. What is Hamilton talking about when he writes “nothing could be more ill-judged than that intolerant spirit which has, at all times, characterized political parties”? What do you think he would think of American politics today?

3. Sum up what Hamilton sees as the purpose of the Federalist Papers.

Federalist #9 and Federalist #10

1. According to Hamilton, why have some Americans criticized a republican form of government?

2. What are five improvements to the “science of politics,” according to Hamilton, that will make the American republic work (#9)?

3. What evidence does James Madison give (#10) that American government has been “tainted” by a “factious spirit”?

4. How does Madison define a “faction” (#10)?

5. What are two possible methods of removing the causes of faction, according to Madison?

6. Why does Madison reject both of these methods of removing the causes of faction?

7. Why does Madison conclude that the causes of faction cannot be removed?

8. According to Madison, how does a republican form of government control the effects of minority faction?

9. What are two methods of controlling the effects of majority faction, according to Madison?

10. What do you think Madison would say about “faction” in American politics today?

Federalist #10

1. How does Madison define a “pure democracy”?

2. How does Madison define a republic?

3. According to Madison, what are the two great points of difference between a “pure democracy” and a republic?

4. Why are “pure democracies” prone to the problem of faction?

5. What are two benefits of “extending the sphere” according to Madison?

6. What effects does “extending the sphere” have on the number of interests to be found in the nation?

7. What are the benefits of having a large rather than a small republic according to Madison?

Federalist #51

1. What are the two dangers that society (and the liberties and rights of citizens) must be guarded against according to Madison?

2. What is it that makes the “rights of the minority” most insecure according to Madison?

3. What are the two methods of preventing the evil of faction according to Madison? Which method does Madison prefer and why?

4. Why does the extended republic “make a coalition of a majority of the whole society” less likely, according to Madison?

5. Why does “justice” require a solution to the problem of majority faction?

General Questions

1. What may be the significance of the use of “pen names” by the authors of these documents?

2. If you were a state delegate contemplating ratification, with whom would you side? Why?

Civics-4: Chapter 3Essay

Assignment: Write a position paper on one of the following prompts:

  • Living in America over 200 years after their objections were first raised, were the Anti-federalists’ fears about a consolidated government justified?
  • Does James Madison’s plan to extend the republic offer a viable solution to the danger of majority faction?

This essay is worth 100 points.

As always, I’m willing to review your thesis with you and/or look over outlines or drafts as long as I’m given plenty of lead time.

Essay Scoring:

90+=All of the following are true…

  • Accurate
  • 2-3 Specific details/terminology from the unit is used in each body paragraph
  • Exemplary use of multiple sources AND proper citation (i.e. parenthetical and works cited)
  • Details’ relation to the topic is thoroughly explained
  • Essay/Paragraphs organized with transitions and a beginning, middle and end
  • Errors in mechanics do not detract from the content

80+=As above but one or two of the following is true…

  • Inaccuracies are minor; general comprehension still shown
  • Specificity or thoroughness needs some development in areas (1-2 details used; not explained completely)
  • Use of various sources limited; Proper citation attempted
  • Organization needs some revision
  • 1-3 errors in mechanics detract from content

70+=One or two of the following is true…

  • Inaccuracies
  • Lack of completeness reveal a less than basic comprehension of some ideas
  • Too much information is given/Some information is off-topic or irrelevant
  • Most details are vague and don’t show thorough reading/study of the unit
  • Few/No sources used
  • Problems with organization detract from clarity
  • More than three errors that detract from content
  • Too brief to evaluate

1+=Two or more items from the above category are true