FCLE The Federalist Papers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Federalist No. 51, written by James Madison, is primarily known for its defense of which constitutional principle?
- Separation of powers and checks and balances (Correct answer)
- Freedom of speech and the press
- The necessity of a standing army
- The electoral college system
Correct answer: Separation of powers and checks and balances
Federalist No. 51 argues that the constitutional structure — dividing power among three branches and between state and federal governments — prevents any one faction or branch from gaining tyrannical control. Its famous line is 'Ambition must be made to counteract ambition.'
Question 2: Federalist No. 10, authored by James Madison, argues that a large republic is better than a small one primarily because it:
- Makes it easier to pass laws quickly
- Reduces the danger of factions by making it harder for any one faction to dominate (Correct answer)
- Gives more power to state governments
- Eliminates the need for political parties
Correct answer: Reduces the danger of factions by making it harder for any one faction to dominate
Madison argued that in a large republic, the variety of factions and interests is so great that no single faction can easily gain majority control and oppress the minority. The extended republic acts as a natural check on factional tyranny.
Question 3: The Federalist Papers were written under the collective pseudonym 'Publius' by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay. What was their primary purpose?
- To propose amendments to the Constitution after ratification
- To argue for American independence from Britain
- To persuade New York voters to ratify the proposed Constitution (Correct answer)
- To establish the Supreme Court's power of judicial review
Correct answer: To persuade New York voters to ratify the proposed Constitution
The 85 essays were published in New York newspapers in 1787–1788 specifically to persuade New York State delegates to ratify the newly proposed Constitution, which faced significant opposition there.
Question 4: Federalist No. 78, written by Alexander Hamilton, is most famous for articulating the principle of:
- Executive privilege
- Judicial review — the power of courts to strike down unconstitutional laws (Correct answer)
- Congressional override of presidential vetoes
- The supremacy of state constitutions over federal law
Correct answer: Judicial review — the power of courts to strike down unconstitutional laws
Hamilton argued in Federalist No. 78 that the judiciary must have the power to declare laws void if they contradict the Constitution, since the Constitution represents the will of the people and must be superior to ordinary legislation. This laid the intellectual foundation for judicial review.
Question 5: Which of the following correctly pairs a Federalist Paper with its main subject?
- No. 10 — the dangers of a large republic and need for small government
- No. 51 — the need to abolish state governments
- No. 70 — the argument for a single, energetic executive (Correct answer)
- No. 78 — the importance of a strong standing army
Correct answer: No. 70 — the argument for a single, energetic executive
Federalist No. 70, written by Hamilton, argues that the executive branch must be led by a single person (not a committee) to ensure energy, accountability, and decisive action. This defended the Constitution's creation of a single president rather than a plural executive.
Question 6: Who were the three authors of the Federalist Papers?
- Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin
- Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay (Correct answer)
- George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison
- John Adams, Alexander Hamilton, and Patrick Henry
Correct answer: Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay
The 85 Federalist Papers were written by Alexander Hamilton (who wrote the majority), James Madison, and John Jay, all publishing under the shared pseudonym 'Publius.' Jefferson and Washington were not authors of the Federalist Papers.
FCLE The Federalist Papers
Federalist No. 51, written by James Madison, is primarily known for its defense of which constitutional principle?