The Federalist Papers Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing core concepts, authors, historical background, and individual essays of the Federalist Papers based on lecture notes.

The Federalist Papers

A series of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay to promote the ratification of the United States Constitution.

Publius

The secret shared pseudonym used by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay when authoring The Federalist Papers.

Republic

A government that derives its power directly or indirectly from the people, is administered by representatives, and incorporates both national and federal principles.

Faction

As defined by James Madison in Federalist #10, a number of citizens—whether a majority or a minority of the whole—who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion or interest adverse to the rights of other citizens or to the aggregate interests of the community.

Methods of Curing the Mischiefs of Faction

The two theoretical approaches identified in Federalist #10: removing the causes of faction (by destroying liberty or forcing uniform opinions) or controlling its effects.

Federalist #10

An essay written by James Madison arguing that a well-constructed Union and republican government can control the violence, instability, and effects of factions.

Federalist #47

An essay written by James Madison addressing the separation of powers (referencing Montesquieu), arguing that government branches must overlap with checks and balances to prevent tyranny.

Federalist #51

An essay by James Madison focusing on separation of powers and checks and balances, famous for stating that 'Ambition must be made to counteract ambition' and explaining how government must be designed to control itself.

Auxiliary Precautions

Structural constitutional mechanisms described in Federalist #51—including checks and balances, dividing the legislature into branches, and executive veto powers—that oblige government to control itself.

Federalist #78

An essay by Alexander Hamilton advocating for an independent judiciary, characterizing it as the 'least dangerous branch' relying on judgment, and establishing judicial review.

Judicial Review

As defined in Federalist #78, the judiciary's power to determine the constitutionality of laws and strike down any laws that conflict with the Constitution.

Judicial Independence

The structural design outlined in Federalist #78 where judges receive lifetime appointments to insulate their decisions from political pressure and preserve judicial integrity.

Federalist #84

An essay by Alexander Hamilton arguing that a formal Bill of Rights is unnecessary because the Constitution itself serves as one, and warning that listing specific rights could be dangerous.

Bill of Rights (Historical Origin)

As detailed by Hamilton in Federalist #84, historical agreements between kings and subjects (such as Magna Charta, the Petition of Right, and the Declaration of Right of 1688) reserving privileges not surrendered to the sovereign.

Federalist #85

The concluding Federalist Paper by Alexander Hamilton urging New York to ratify the Constitution as a workable foundation that provides national stability, security, unity, and prosperity.

Montesquieu

The philosopher cited in Federalist #47 regarding the division of government into three distinct branches to establish separation of powers.