Primary source analysis and historical interpretation

Primary Source

An Analysis of Federalist Paper No.

Federalist Paper No. 10 was written in 1787 by James Madison. It was one of many articles by multiple authors that came together in a book that was originally titled The Federalist. The title The Federalist Papers came along at a later date. Madison wrote this paper as part of a movement to ratify the Constitution of the United States. Analyzing Madison's (1787) work on this paper will help to shed light on history and will provide a more in-depth understanding of the strength, value, and significance of the Constitution. The origin of Federalist Paper No. 10 is James Madison himself, and this has been authenticated by scholars throughout history. There is no dispute about who wrote the Paper, or whether it was actually Madison's work and words that were used to create it. Philosophically, Madison's (1787) Federalist Paper No. 10 is regarded by scholars and historians as being the most significant of all of the Federalist Papers. That is due to the fact that Madison advocated for a large and commercial republic that would prevent rule by a majority faction. Many of the other Federalist Papers that were written by Madison - most notably Paper No. 14 - complement Federalist Paper No. 10 and the stance that Madison was taking on important issues.

The source is very strong because it is the original information that was laid out by Madison (1787) and contains his original words and thoughts on the matter. Federalist Paper No. 10 is also valuable because it focuses on something that is a large part of the lives of all Americans - the U.S. Constitution. In day-to-day life one might not think about the Constitution very much, but what it has to offer to the people of the United States and how it affects their lives is still highly significant. When the Constitution was first created and sent to the individual states to be ratified by each one of them, there was a public outcry. That was to be expected, because people seem to avoid change - and there were rules and regulations, as well as protections in the Constitution with which some people did not agree. Because of that, information like Federalist Paper No. 10 was written so that people could see the good in the Constitution and why it was so very important that it be ratified and accepted by all of the states in the U.S.

Federalist Paper No. 10 (Madison, 1787) is an excellent primary source because it has been verified by scholars and historians throughout the ages, because it can be safely attributed to Madison as the author, and because it has so much historic significance for the United States overall. However, understanding that Paper in context is vital, or some of what Madison had to say will be lost. For that reason, a secondary source is needed. In this case, Rhodenhamel's (1987) Letters of liberty: A documentary history of the U.S. Constitution helps to show how Madison's (1787) Federalist Paper No. 10 was used as a part of something much greater. Taken by itself, the Paper is still significant. However, when it is viewed as a part of all of The Federalist Papers that were written by Madison and others, a larger picture of the early United States and the value of the creation of the Constitution emerges. It is that value that still holds the U.S. together today.