Federalist No. 55 facts for kids
The Federalist No. 55 is an important essay written by James Madison. It is one of 85 essays in a collection known as the Federalist Papers. This specific essay was published on February 13, 1788. It was signed with the pen name "Publius," which was used for all the Federalist Papers. In Federalist No. 55, James Madison looked closely at the size of the United States House of Representatives. The essay's main topic was "The Total Number of the House of Representatives."
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What is Federalist No. 55?
Federalist No. 55 is an essay that explains why the United States House of Representatives should have a certain number of members. At the time, some people worried that the House was too small. They thought a small group might not truly represent all the people. James Madison wrote this essay to answer those worries. He wanted to show that the proposed size was safe for the new country.
Who Wrote It?
The essay was written by James Madison. He is often called the "Father of the Constitution." Madison later became the fourth President of the United States. He worked with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay to write the Federalist Papers. These essays helped explain the new United States Constitution to the public. They encouraged people to support the new plan for government.
What is the House of Representatives?
The United States House of Representatives is one part of the U.S. government. It is part of the United States Congress. The House is where elected officials, called representatives, work for the people. Each state sends representatives based on its population. These representatives make laws for the whole country. They are chosen by citizens in elections.
Why Was the House So Small?
When the Constitution was first planned, the House of Representatives would start with 65 members. Some people thought this number was too small. They worried that such a small group might not be fair. They feared it could lead to a few people having too much power. Madison explained that this number would grow as the country's population grew. He believed it was a good starting point.
How Does It Stay Safe?
James Madison argued that the small size of the House would not harm the people's freedom. He pointed out several reasons why. First, the House works with other parts of the government. This includes the state governments. This system is called "checks and balances." It means different parts of the government watch over each other. No single part can become too powerful.
Second, every member of the House is voted in by the people. They are elected every two years. This means if the representatives do not do a good job, citizens can vote them out. This regular election process helps keep the representatives accountable. It ensures they listen to the people they represent.
