Learning Objectives
- Describe the ideas and historical context that shaped James Madison’s thinking about republics.
- Explain the challenges faced by the nation following the American Revolution in trying to form a government strong enough to rule effectively but not so strong as to oppress the rights of Americans.
- Describe the role that compromise over states’ interests played in shaping the government during the Constitutional Convention.
- Identify the institutions of government established by the Constitution and the distribution of political power among them.
- Compare and contrast the arguments put forth by the Federalists and anti-Federalists during the ratification debates.