Question 5 • CCS CR - Founding Principles of the US and NC: Civic Literacy (Fall 2026)
Read the following excerpt from Federalist #44 by James Madison.Had every State a right to regulate the value of its coin, there might be as many different currencies as States, and thus the [trade] among them would be impeded; [unexpected changes] in its value might be made, and thus the citizens of other States be injured, and animosities be kindled among the States themselves. The subjects of foreign powers might suffer from the same cause, and hence the Union be discredited and embroiled by
Answer
s
state governments should be stronger than a national government.
f
foreign governments should have influence on state economies.
e
each state should regulate its own trade with other countries.
a
a national government should be supreme over state governments.
Explanation
Madison argues that if each state could set the value of its own currency, differences and sudden changes would disrupt trade and harm people in other states and foreign countries. He uses this risk to support giving the national government authority over the states on matters affecting the whole Union. Therefore, the excerpt supports the idea that a national government should be supreme over state governments.
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