American Government
The Federalist No.10 Worksheet
Name:
Date:
Directions: After reading The Federalist No. 10, answer the following questions using the
reading to guide your answers. Answer questions in complete sentences.
1. The first paragraph states,” the public good is disregarded in the conflicts of rival parties; and
that measures too often decided by...the superior force of an interested and over-bearing
majority.” Explain why James Madison fears the majority according to this sentence:
2. What is a “faction” is in your own words?
3. How can a nation control the problems that accompany “faction”? Which one of these options
is more plausible?
4. What seems to be the most “common...source of faction” (or what most commonly pins one
group against another)?
5. Why does Madison believe a Republic is better than a Direct Democracy for controlling the
effects of faction?
6. What happens when the publics views go through “a chosen body of citizens”? Who are these
“chosen body of citizens”?
7. Should a Republic be large or small? Why?
8. Why then is the federal government better at controlling the majority then the states?
9. What is James Madison arguing in favor of in this article?
10. Do you agree with Madison or disagree? Why?