Malcolm Rivera
The Federalist Papers, a collection of pamphlets, essays, and speeches, were written and published to urge Americans to ratify the proposed United States Constitution. The Federalists, or supporters of the Constitution, argued that the new government supported the principles of separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism. The Anti-Federalists, on the other hand, opposed the Constitution, believing it betrayed the principles of the American Revolution and consolidated too much power in a distant, central government. The Federalist Papers, written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison, defended the Constitution and explained its provisions in detail. The Anti-Federalist Papers, meanwhile, collected the writings of Elbridge Gerry, Noah Webster, John Jay, Melancthon Smith, Pelatiah Webster, Tench Coxe, James Wilson, and others, providing important reflections on the proposed Constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pamphlet Authors | Elbridge Gerry, Noah Webster, John Jay, Melancthon Smith, Pelatiah Webster, Tench Coxe, James Wilson, John Dickinson, Alexander Contee Hanson, Edmund Randolph, Richard Henry Lee, George Mason, David Ramsay, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin |
| Pamphlet Names | Observations on the New Constitution, and on the Federal and State Conventions, An Examination into the Leading Principles of the Federal Constitution, An Address to the People of the State of New York, on the Subject of the Constitution, Address to the People of the State of New York, An Address to the Freemen of South Carolina on the Federal Constitution, The Federalist Papers |
| Pamphlet Arguments | Anti-Federalists: The proposed constitution represented a betrayal of the principles of the American Revolution, the new constitution gave too much power to the federal government, Federalists: The new government supported the principles of separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism, a large republic would counterbalance various political interest groups vying for power |
| Pamphlet Publication | The Federalist Papers were published in The New York Packet and The Independent Journal, other pamphlets were published in newspapers like the New York Journal, the Independent Gazetteer, and Philadelphia's Independent Gazetteer |
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What You'll Learn
The Federalist Papers
The Federalists, who supported the Constitution, defended its strengthened national government, with its greater congressional powers, more powerful executive, and independent judiciary. They argued that the new government supported the principles of separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism. Madison, for example, argued that the vastness of the country would itself be a strong argument in favour of a republic, claiming that a large republic would counterbalance various political interest groups vying for power.
The Federalists' opponents were known as the Anti-Federalists, who worried that the proposed constitution represented a betrayal of the principles of the American Revolution. The Anti-Federalists in Massachusetts, Virginia, and New York made ratification of the Constitution contingent on a Bill of Rights. Sensing that Anti-Federalist sentiment would sink ratification efforts, Madison agreed to draft a list of rights that the new federal government could not encroach.
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Alexander Hamilton's role
Alexander Hamilton was a Founding Father of the United States and played an important role in the creation and ratification of the US Constitution. In 1787, he was selected to serve as one of New York's delegates at the Constitutional Convention, tasked with revising the Articles of Confederation. However, the delegates, including Hamilton, ultimately decided to scrap the Articles entirely and create a new constitution. Hamilton, who had experience writing pamphlets and essays criticising British imperial policy, joined James Madison and John Jay in writing the Federalist Papers, a collection of 85 articles and essays promoting the ratification of the Constitution.
Hamilton also played a crucial role in convincing New York to ratify the Constitution. At the New York ratifying convention in Poughkeepsie in 1788, he faced a group of 47 Anti-Federalists. Hamilton presented his case for ratification, arguing that the federal government should assume the debts of the states and establish a steady revenue stream through taxation of imported goods. With his focused logic and eloquence, Hamilton successfully convinced New York to ratify the Constitution, preventing the new government from splitting into separate confederacies.
Hamilton's proposals for the Constitution were not fully adopted, and he faced opposition from those who viewed him as a would-be dictator or a promoter of monarchy. However, he passionately campaigned for the Constitution and played a significant role in its ratification and interpretation. He is credited with founding and architecting the American financial system through his role as the first secretary of the treasury, seeking to create a stable financial foundation for the nation and increase the power of the central government.
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James Madison's influence
James Madison was a key figure in the drafting, explaining, and ratification of the US Constitution. He is regarded as one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Madison's influence extended to his role as a prime author of "The Federalist"—a series of newspaper and pamphlet articles that made a case for the ratification of the Constitution.
Madison joined Alexander Hamilton and John Jay in writing a series of essays that aimed to sway public opinion towards ratification. These essays became known as the Federalist Papers, a collection of 85 essays divided into two parts: 36 letters against the Articles of Confederation and 49 letters in favour of the new Constitution. Madison wrote fewer than 20 of these essays, including Federalist No. 10, which is highly regarded for its advocacy of representative democracy. In this essay, Madison argued that a large republic would better protect private rights and the public good compared to a collection of small republics. He theorised that in a large republic, the emergence of numerous factions would limit the influence of any single faction, preventing the execution of "plans of oppression".
Madison's influence was also evident in the debates surrounding the inclusion of a Bill of Rights in the Constitution. Initially, Madison opposed making the Bill of Rights a precondition for ratification, believing that individual rights were fully protected by the Constitution. However, recognising the political imperative, he eventually agreed to draft a list of rights. Madison emphasised the role of public opinion in a republic and understood that a Bill of Rights would influence public sentiment in favour of protecting individual liberties. Madison's proposal for the First Amendment laid the foundation for guaranteeing fundamental liberties in the Constitution.
Madison's expertise and rational arguments were crucial in countering anti-Federalist appeals during the Virginia ratification convention. He successfully persuaded Randolph to support unconditional ratification, with amendments to be proposed post-ratification. Madison's influence extended beyond the ratification process, as he played a significant role in establishing the three Cabinet departments and helped Thomas Jefferson become the first Secretary of State.
Madison's contributions to the Federalist Papers, his role in the ratification debates, and his influence on shaping the final Constitution underscore his significant impact on the founding of the United States.
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Anti-Federalist Papers
The Anti-Federalist Papers are a collection of essays, speeches, and pamphlets written by the Founding Fathers who opposed or were concerned about the United States Constitution of 1787. The authors of these papers, known as Anti-Federalists, argued against the implementation of a stronger federal government without protections for certain rights. They wanted a "union of the States merely federal".
The Anti-Federalist Papers were written over several years by a variety of authors, including Elbridge Gerry, Noah Webster, John Jay, Melancthon Smith, Pelatiah Webster, Tench Coxe, James Wilson, John Dickinson, Alexander Contee Hanson, Edmund Randolph, Richard Henry Lee, George Mason, and David Ramsay. Many of these authors wrote under pseudonyms such as "Cato" (likely New York Governor George Clinton), "Brutus" (likely Melancton Smith, Robert Yates, or John Williams), "Centinel" (Samuel Bryan), and "Federal Farmer" (likely Melancton Smith, Richard Henry Lee, or Mercy Otis Warren). Mercy Otis Warren, in fact, wrote an essay attributed to Elbridge Gerry.
The Anti-Federalist Papers began on 25 September 1787, eight days after the final draft of the US Constitution, and continued into the early 1790s. The authors published their works in newspapers, often first in states other than New York, and as pamphlets. The most well-known collection of Anti-Federalist Papers is a series of sixteen essays published in the New York Journal from October 1787 to April 1788.
The Anti-Federalists failed to prevent the ratification of the Constitution, which took effect in 1789. However, they succeeded in influencing the first assembly of the United States Congress to draft the Bill of Rights, which includes the right to free speech, the right to a speedy trial, the right to due process under the law, and protections against cruel and unusual punishments.
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Pennsylvania's influence
Pennsylvania played a crucial role in the ratification of the US Constitution. Due to its size, wealth, and influence, and as the second-biggest state in the union, with Philadelphia as the second-largest city, Pennsylvania was the focus of national attention during the ratification debates. The state's diverse population also meant that there was no shortage of critics of the proposed Constitution.
The Pennsylvania convention, called on November 21, 1787, was a pivotal moment in the ratification process. James Wilson, a Scotsman, led the Federalists in Pennsylvania and played a key role in advocating for ratification. On December 12, 1787, the Pennsylvania convention ratified the document by a vote of 46-23, with Wilson delivering a stirring defence of the Constitution to a large crowd gathered in the yard of the State House. He praised the new government as the best "which has ever been offered to the world."
However, the ratification process in Pennsylvania was not without opposition. The Anti-Federalists, led by Thomas McKean, made a powerful argument against the Constitution, known as the Pennsylvania Minority Report. They feared centralized power and insisted on a Bill of Rights to accompany the Constitution. The report stated that they could not adopt the proposed system of government without, as they believed, surrendering their dearest rights. This report was sent to the other states as part of a wider effort to reject the new Constitution.
The outcome of the Pennsylvania convention was significant as it was the first large state to confront a pitched debate between supporters of the sweeping changes in the Constitution and the Anti-Federalists. The ratification by Pennsylvania built momentum for the Federalists, who needed a total of nine states to ratify the Constitution. By January 1788, five states, including Pennsylvania, had approved the Constitution, with Delaware being the first state to do so on December 7, 1787.
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Frequently asked questions
The Federalist Papers were a collection of essays written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison, in defence of the U.S. Constitution. They were published in two New York State newspapers, The New York Packet and The Independent Journal, and urged New Yorkers to ratify the proposed Constitution.
The Anti-Federalist Papers were a collection of speeches, essays, and pamphlets by the opponents of the U.S. Constitution, who became known as the Anti-Federalists. They believed the proposed Constitution represented a betrayal of the principles of the American Revolution. Notable Anti-Federalists included Elbridge Gerry, Edmund Randolph, and George Mason, the "Three Dissenters".
Famous pamphlets written in support of the U.S. Constitution include "An Address to the People of the State of New York, on the subject of the Constitution" by John Jay, and "An Examination into the leading principles of the Federal Constitution" by Noah Webster.
