"The Federalist Papers"

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the political history behind the Federalist, commonly referred to as "The Federalist Papers", a series of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison, between October, 1787, and May, 1788. It discusses how "The Federalist Papers" were written and published to urge New Yorkers to ratify the proposed United States Constitution, which was drafted in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787. In lobbying for adoption of the Constitution over the existing Articles of Confederation, the essays explain particular provisions of the Constitution in detail. It analyzes how, because Hamilton and Madison were each members of the Constitutional Convention, "The Federalist Papers" are often used today to help interpret the intentions of those drafting the Constitution.

From the Paper:

"For many years Madison, Jefferson, Washington, and the others to whom we owe our governmental system, wrestled with the idea of a unified central government charged with the country's oversight. Their fear was that they might recreate a step-daughter of the oppressive monarchy which they sought to escape. The result of negotiating with this fear was the creation of government made up of a confederation of states. This approach was designed to permanently prohibit the creation of a government which could confuse the role of church, state, political organization, and matriarchal overlord. These lines had been blurred in the daily exercise of power by the governments on the European continent."

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