The Federalist The Federalist PapersPapersThe Debate BeginsThe Debate Begins

The Arguments for FederalismThe Arguments for Federalism

THE CONSTITUTIONAL THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION, 1787CONVENTION, 1787 Meets on May 1787 to revise the Articles of Meets on May 1787 to revise the Articles of

ConfederationConfederation The Virginia Plan called for representation based The Virginia Plan called for representation based

on the population of each state. The New Jersey on the population of each state. The New Jersey Plan suggested equal representation for each state Plan suggested equal representation for each state regardless of population.regardless of population.

The Great Compromise resolved the conflict The Great Compromise resolved the conflict between the Virginia and New Jersey plans and between the Virginia and New Jersey plans and settled the slave issue with the Three-Fifths settled the slave issue with the Three-Fifths CompromiseCompromise

THE DEBATE BEGINSTHE DEBATE BEGINS Ratification: The Ratification: The U.S. ConstitutionU.S. Constitution states that 9 states states that 9 states

must ratify a document for it to become the official law must ratify a document for it to become the official law of the land. of the land.

Federalists argue that a federal government would Federalists argue that a federal government would maintain state unity. States without a strong maintain state unity. States without a strong government would lead to competition over land and government would lead to competition over land and commerce and there would be no state unity for the commerce and there would be no state unity for the common defense of the United States.common defense of the United States.

Anti-Federalists feared that a strong central Anti-Federalists feared that a strong central government would lead to the loss of individual government would lead to the loss of individual liberties. Supported a Bill of Rights.liberties. Supported a Bill of Rights.

THE FEDERALIST PAPERSTHE FEDERALIST PAPERS

John Jay, Alexander John Jay, Alexander Hamilton and James Hamilton and James Madison will write 85 essaysMadison will write 85 essays

It is political propaganda and It is political propaganda and explains American political explains American political thought of the daythought of the day

It is written to appeal to the It is written to appeal to the Anti-Federalists that it is Anti-Federalists that it is important to ratify the U.S. important to ratify the U.S. ConstitutionConstitution

THE FEDERALIST PAPERSTHE FEDERALIST PAPERS

The essays will be written The essays will be written under the fake name of under the fake name of PulbiusPulbius

Alexander Hamilton will Alexander Hamilton will write most of the essays write most of the essays and they will be published in and they will be published in newspapersnewspapers

Hamilton believes that the Hamilton believes that the Articles of Confederation Articles of Confederation will lead to anarchy will lead to anarchy

FEDERALIST #10FEDERALIST #10 Madison argues that our Madison argues that our

nation is large with many nation is large with many groups who would keep groups who would keep each other in check and each other in check and would prevent certain would prevent certain groups from being in groups from being in powerpower

Creditors and debtors, Creditors and debtors, rich and poor, merchants rich and poor, merchants and land ownersand land owners

FEDERALIST #15FEDERALIST #15

Hamilton points out Hamilton points out the Articles of the Articles of Confederation has Confederation has many weaknessesmany weaknesses

““If men were angels, If men were angels, no government would no government would be necessary.”be necessary.”

FEDERALIST #51FEDERALIST #51

Madison explains the Madison explains the system of “checks and system of “checks and balances”, each branch balances”, each branch has powers that limits the has powers that limits the influence of the other influence of the other branches of governmentbranches of government

Federal Judges are Federal Judges are appointed for life to be appointed for life to be free from political pressure free from political pressure