Template:Federalist Papers: Difference between revisions
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* a series of 85 essays published in New York newspapers and distributed nationally in 1787-1788 | * a series of 85 essays published in New York newspapers and distributed nationally in 1787-1788 | ||
* the essays explained and defended the proposed federal constitution of 1787 | * the essays explained and defended the proposed federal constitution of 1787 | ||
** which can be generally defined as creation of a new, centralized government under "republican" principles | |||
*** those being representation, separation of powers, and limits on the power of the majority | |||
* the essays were signed "Publius" | * the essays were signed "Publius" | ||
** Publius Valerius was one of founders of the Roman Republic who overthrew the Etruscan kings | ** Publius Valerius was one of founders of the Roman Republic who overthrew the Etruscan kings | ||
Revision as of 19:31, 28 July 2021
The Federalist Papers
- a series of 85 essays published in New York newspapers and distributed nationally in 1787-1788
- the essays explained and defended the proposed federal constitution of 1787
- which can be generally defined as creation of a new, centralized government under "republican" principles
- those being representation, separation of powers, and limits on the power of the majority
- which can be generally defined as creation of a new, centralized government under "republican" principles
- the essays were signed "Publius"
- Publius Valerius was one of founders of the Roman Republic who overthrew the Etruscan kings
- the authors were:
- Alexander Hamilton, John Jay and James Madison
click EXPAND for more on the authors
- Alexander Hamilton
- important federalist thinker and politician
- was Washington's first Secretary of the Treasury
- Hamilton applied federalist principles towards application of the central government's powers
- John Jay
- an important Revolutionary era patriot, diplomat and political leader
- Jay became the first Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court
- James Madison
- provided the philosophical basis for the new Constitution
- became fourth president
- known as the "father of the Constitution" because:
- Madison set the agenda for the Constitutional Convention
- he created a "blueprint" (outline) for the new constitution
- and framed his ideas through history and philosophy
- Madison set the agenda for the Constitutional Convention
Purpose of the Federalist Papers
- to explain and defend the proposed Constitution
- and to counter arguments made against it by the anti-federalists
- to influence the states to adopt the new constitution
Ideas behind the Papers
- to identify the need for a strong central government
- to identify the protections for the states and the people from that central government
- principally through separation of powers, checks & balances, and accountability to the people
Legacy of the Papers:
- stand as evidence of the ideas and intentions behind the design of the Constitution
- have been used in Courts in order to help define the legal meanings of the Constitution
- remind Americans of the philosophy of government behind the Constitution