After reading this chapter, you will be able to do the following:

2.1 Describe the ideas and historical context that shaped James Madison’s thinking about republics.
2.2 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.
2.3 Describe the role that compromise over states’ interests played in shaping the government during the Constitutional Convention.
2.4 Identify the institutions of government established by the Constitution and the distribution
of political power among them.
2.5 Compare and contrast the arguments put forth by the Federalists and Anti-Federalists during the ratification debates.