Federalist Papers

A collection of 85 essays intended to promote the ratification of the U.S. Constitution by countering the arguments of the Anti-Federalists who were against the ratification of the Constitution. The Federalist Papers were written and published between late 1787 and early 1788. The majority of the papers were written by the Federalist Alexander Hamilton (51), while the rest were written by James Madison, a Democratic-Republican (29), and John Jay (5). The Federalist Papers illustrated the tension between Madison, who wanted a weaker central government, and Hamilton, who wanted a strong central government over the states.

The Federalist Papers were originally signed “Citizen of New York,” but the signature was changed to “Publius,” the defender of the ancient Roman republic, since one of the writers was not a citizen of New York. The papers were later published in states other than New York. New York was first chosen as the site to publish the Federalist Papers as it was one of the remaining pivotal states where ratification of the new Constitution was most in doubt. Alexander Hamilton decided that a massive propaganda campaign was needed in New York to convince New Yorkers to ratify the Constitution. As a result, a barrage of publications was sustained four times a week in New York newspapers. The three writers did not agree on all ideas, but they did agree on republicanism, federalism, separation of powers, and free government, each of which was dealt with in the Federalist Papers. The Federalist Papers possibly provided the greatest insight into interpreting the source of the Constitution.