Omar Bennett
The Federalist Papers, a collection of 85 articles and essays, were written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay to promote the ratification of the United States Constitution. The Federalists believed in a strong centralized government and advocated for the Implied Powers of the President within the Constitution, with Federal Supremacy. They saw the Articles of Confederation as weak and indicative of the instability a nation would face without a strong central government. The Federalists were also against the inclusion of a Bill of Rights in the Constitution, arguing that the various provisions in the document already protected individual liberty.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Federalist Papers | Written and published to urge New Yorkers to ratify the proposed United States Constitution |
| Written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay under the pseudonym "Publius" | |
| Explained particular provisions of the Constitution in detail | |
| Published in two New York state newspapers: The New York Packet and The Independent Journal | |
| Argued for the benefits of a centralized government | |
| Believed the previous government under the Articles of Confederation was too weak | |
| Supported a strong national government, believing it essential for stability | |
| Believed the Constitution should give more power to the national government | |
| Believed state governments should be weaker than the national government | |
| Rejected the need for a Bill of Rights, arguing that the Constitution protected liberty | |
| Favored the Implied Powers of the President within the Constitution and Federal Supremacy | |
| Focused on the national economy rather than that of individual states | |
| Established the First National Bank in 1791 to ensure a safe and fair system of trading |
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What You'll Learn
Federalist Papers
The Federalist Papers are a collection of 85 articles and essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay under the pseudonym "Publius". They were written and published to urge New Yorkers to ratify the proposed United States Constitution, which was drafted in Philadelphia in 1787. The Federalist Papers explain particular provisions of the Constitution in detail, and today they are often used to interpret the intentions of those who drafted the Constitution.
The Federalists supported a strong national government via the Constitution, believing it essential for stability. They argued that the previous government under the Articles of Confederation was too weak to effectively manage the country's needs. They believed that the state governments should be weaker than the national government. The Federalist Party saw the Articles of Confederation as weak and indicative of the instability a nation will face without a strong centralized government. Thus, they advocated for the Implied Powers of the President within the Constitution, alongside Federal Supremacy.
The Federalist Papers reflect these viewpoints. In Federalist No. 1, Hamilton writes that the series will "endeavor to give a satisfactory answer to all the objections which shall have made their appearance, that may seem to have any claim to your attention." In Federalist No. 84, Hamilton argues that there is no need to amend the Constitution by adding a Bill of Rights, insisting that the various provisions in the proposed Constitution protecting liberty amount to a "bill of rights." In Federalist No. 78, also written by Hamilton, the groundwork is laid for the doctrine of judicial review by federal courts of federal legislation or executive acts. In Federalist No. 39, Madison presents the clearest exposition of what has come to be called "Federalism". In Federalist No. 10, Madison discusses the means of preventing rule by majority faction and advocates for a large, commercial republic.
The Anti-Federalists, on the other hand, wanted to maintain the power of the state governments and believed that the Constitution needed to have checks and balances to prevent the national government from becoming too powerful. They insisted on the inclusion of a Bill of Rights to protect individual freedoms. Figures such as Patrick Henry and George Mason expressed their fears through Anti-Federalist writings, which highlighted the lack of protection for individual rights in the proposed government.
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Federalist No. 1
Hamilton urged his readers to adopt a new Constitution for the United States of America, emphasising the inefficiency of the existing federal government. He believed that the fate of the nation rested on the shoulders of every American citizen, and that the decision to adopt a new Constitution was the most important in the nation's history. He also invoked ideas of American exceptionalism, suggesting that the United States was developing an unprecedented form of government that would be replicated worldwide.
Hamilton addressed the concept of political polarisation and the breakdown of civil discourse. He criticised his opponents while also acknowledging the need to assume good faith in political discourse and avoid demonising those with differing political views. He expressed disdain for those who attacked opposing arguments without considering them and used aggressive rhetoric to strengthen their position.
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Federalist No. 10
Madison viewed the federal Constitution as providing for a "happy combination" of a republic and a purer democracy, resulting in a decentralized governmental structure. He believed that the instability, injustice, and confusion introduced into the public councils had been the mortal diseases under which popular governments had perished. Federalist No. 10 is interpreted as an explicit rejection of the principles of direct democracy and factionalism, with Madison suggesting that a representative democracy is more effective against partisanship and factionalism.
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Federalist No. 84
In the essay, Hamilton argues that a Bill of Rights is unnecessary for the constitution. He states that the constitution, as originally written, is specifically designed to enumerate and protect the rights of the people. He believes that the entire document should set limits and checks and balances on the government so that no individual's rights will be infringed upon. Hamilton contends that, unlike monarchies, where governments grant rights to the people, the US government derives its power from the people, meaning that any authority not explicitly given to it remains with the public. Since the Constitution does not grant the government the power to infringe on freedoms such as speech or the press, there is no need to list those rights explicitly.
Hamilton also cites the constitutions of several states, including his own, New York, which do not contain specific bills of rights. He then goes on to list the rights guaranteed under the Constitution, such as the judgment in impeachment cases being limited to removal from office, the writ of habeas corpus not being suspended except in cases of invasion or insurrection, and the prohibition of titles of nobility.
The essay concludes by affirming that bills of rights are not only unnecessary in the proposed constitution but also dangerous. They would contain various exceptions to powers not granted, providing a pretext to claim more power than granted.
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Federalist No. 78
Hamilton viewed the judiciary as the weakest branch of government because it had no control over the money or military of the country. He believed that the judiciary's only power was that of judgment, with no ability to take active resolutions. Despite this inherent weakness, Hamilton argued that the judiciary was crucial in protecting the Constitution and ensuring that the legislature acted within the authority granted to it by the Constitution.
Hamilton also addressed the importance of judicial independence and the tenure of judges. He supported the idea that judges should hold their offices during good behavior, ensuring a steady, upright, and impartial administration of the laws. This independence, Hamilton argued, was a safeguard against despotism in a monarchy and against encroachments by the representative body in a republic.
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Frequently asked questions
The Federalist Papers were a collection of 85 articles and essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay under the pseudonym "Publius". They were written to urge New Yorkers to ratify the proposed United States Constitution.
Federalists believed in a strong national government and advocated for more power to be given to it through the Constitution. They believed the previous government under the Articles of Confederation was too weak and ineffective. They also believed that the Constitution was a safeguard against tyranny and that a Bill of Rights was unnecessary.
The Anti-Federalist Papers were a collection of articles and public letters critical of the proposed Constitution. Figures such as Patrick Henry and George Mason expressed their fears through these writings, highlighting the lack of protection for individual rights.
The Federalists were instrumental in shaping the new US Constitution in 1787. However, the Anti-Federalists successfully fought for the inclusion of a Bill of Rights, ensuring the liberties they felt were violated by the Constitution.
