The Federalist Papers--Madison
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Reading and Writing Workshop
James Madison and the Foundations of the U.S. Constitution
Session 1: Introducing Madison and The Federalist Papers
Focus: Background of James Madison, the Constitutional Convention, and the purpose of The Federalist Papers.
Session 2: Federalist No. 10 – Factions and the Public Good
Focus: The danger of factions and the advantages of a large republic.
Session 3: Federalist No. 51 – Checks and Balances
Focus: Separation of powers and how ambition counteracts ambition.
Session 4: Federalist No. 39 – Republican PrinciplesFocus: Defining republican government and federalism.
Session 5: Federalist No. 45 and 46 – State vs. National Power
Focus: Madison’s defense of strong national government and reassurance to the states.
Session 6: Writing with Madison – A Modern Federalist Paper
Focus: Writing your own Federalist-style argument.
Session 1: Introducing Madison and The Federalist Papers
Focus: Background of James Madison, the Constitutional Convention, and the purpose of The Federalist Papers.
- Essential Questions:
- Who was James Madison and what role did he play in shaping the U.S. Constitution?
- What were The Federalist Papers intended to do?
- Reading:
- The Federalist Papers (Introduction)
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1404 - Madison’s contributions to the Constitutional Convention (Records from Debates)
https://www.loc.gov/resource/mjm.01_0457_0469/?sp=1
- The Federalist Papers (Introduction)
- Writing Activity:
Write a biographical sketch of Madison highlighting how his beliefs shaped his arguments in The Federalist Papers.
Session 2: Federalist No. 10 – Factions and the Public Good
Focus: The danger of factions and the advantages of a large republic.
- Essential Questions:
- What is Madison’s definition of a faction?
- How does Madison propose to control factions?
- Reading:
- Federalist No. 10 by James Madison
https://www.congress.gov/resources/display/content/The+Federalist+Papers#TheFederalistPapers-10
- Federalist No. 10 by James Madison
- Writing Activity:
Compose an argumentative response to Madison: Do you agree that a large republic is the best defense against factions today?
Session 3: Federalist No. 51 – Checks and Balances
Focus: Separation of powers and how ambition counteracts ambition.
- Essential Questions:
- How does Madison justify the separation of powers?
- What role does human nature play in Madison’s political theory?
- Reading:
- Federalist No. 51 by James Madison
https://www.congress.gov/resources/display/content/The+Federalist+Papers#TheFederalistPapers-51
- Federalist No. 51 by James Madison
- Writing Activity:
Write a reflection on a modern example where checks and balances have worked or failed.
Session 4: Federalist No. 39 – Republican PrinciplesFocus: Defining republican government and federalism.
- Essential Questions:
- What does Madison consider a republican form of government?
- How does the Constitution balance state and national powers?
- Reading:
- Federalist No. 39 by James Madison
https://www.congress.gov/resources/display/content/The+Federalist+Papers#TheFederalistPapers-39
- Federalist No. 39 by James Madison
- Writing Activity:
Compare Madison’s concept of federalism to today’s state vs. federal government debates.
Session 5: Federalist No. 45 and 46 – State vs. National Power
Focus: Madison’s defense of strong national government and reassurance to the states.
- Essential Questions:
- How does Madison argue that state governments will retain power?
- Are his assurances still valid?
- Reading:
- Writing Activity:
Draft a persuasive essay evaluating Madison’s prediction of a balanced power structure between state and federal government.
Session 6: Writing with Madison – A Modern Federalist Paper
Focus: Writing your own Federalist-style argument.
- Activity:
- Choose a modern political issue (e.g., digital privacy, climate policy, immigration).
- Write your own “Federalist Paper” supporting a policy using Madisonian logic and structure.
- Reference Reading:
Review any of Madison’s papers on the Congress.gov site:
https://www.congress.gov/resources/display/content/The+Federalist+Papers