Federalist No. 51 and the Structure of Government

Use the Federalist No. 51 sheet first to set the vocabulary, then the Venn diagram. The glossaries on each page help with the older wording.

Match three Federalist No. 51 excerpts to federalism, checks and balances or limited government. The directions on the page read: Read the background, the three excerpts and the glossary. Then turn to page 2. An answer key is included.

Yes, both. We made it for 8th grade the Constitution and Bill of Rights, and it works the same at home or at school. At home, a student can work through it alone and then go over it with you, which shows quickly what is solid and what needs another look. In class it works as independent practice, homework or a warm-up, and you can print one copy or a full set.

Federalism means power is divided between the national government and the state governments. Some powers belong only to the nation, some are kept by the states under the 10th Amendment, and some are shared.

It argues that ambition must be made to counteract ambition, so each branch can resist the others. It also says that if men were angels, no government would be necessary.

In 1832 a South Carolina convention declared the federal tariffs void in the state. President Andrew Jackson answered with a proclamation, and the supremacy clause in Article VI is the rule students apply on the federalism sheet.