Following the Constitutional Convention, the 55 delegates returned to their home states

1. The Federalist Debate • Following the Constitutional Convention, the 55 delegates returned to their home states • Their job was to convince the people (the state legislatures) that this was as near perfect a document as could be devised • 9 of 13 states needed to ratify the Constitution in order for it to take effect • During this time, a debate emerged over the role and the power of the this new, central government created by the Constitution • The two sides that emerged in this debate: The Federalist and the Anti-Federalists (note: these are not political parties, but two sides of a debate)

2. THE FEDERALISTS • George Washington, James Madison, Alexander • Hamilton, and John Jay • ~ supported a strong, national • government that would share power • with the states • ~ believed that the checks and balances • written into the Constitution provided • adequate protection for all—the • House of Representatives would • protect the people’s interests, the Senate • would protect the states’ interests, the • president would protect the national • interests, and the Supreme Court would • protect the people’s fundamental interests • ~ believed that many rights were already • specified in the Constitution, and they were • concerned that a specific list of rights • might not be inclusive enough and might • actually limit rights to only those listed • ~ promised that a bill of rights would be • added to the ratified document • THE ANTI-FEDERALISTS • Patrick Henry, George Clinton • ~ supported a weaker national • government with more power residing • with the states • ~ opposed a central government that might • dominate state or local governments • ~ worried that freedoms gained at such a • High cost would be lost through the • Government’s abuse of power • ~ believed that without a bill of rights, the • Constitution did not adequately protect • individual liberties

3. The Federalist Papers “If men were angels, no government would be necessary.” -- James Madison, Federalist No. 51 In an effort to help convince the public to support the new Constitution and its ratification, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay wrote a series of 85 essays known as The Federalist (or The Federalist Papers).

4. “Publius”(pseudonym that referred to Publius Valerius Pubicola, a defender of the ancient Roman Republic) James Madison (VA) wrote 26 of the essays John Jay (NY) wrote 5 of the essays Alexander Hamilton (NY) wrote 51 of the essays * Hamilton and Madison jointly authored 3 of the essays

5. #1 Introduction to The Federalist Papers Government’s Responsibilities #2-5 Foreign Policy #6-10 Domestic Policy #11-13 Advantages to staying united #14 Summary of issues covered Problems in the Current American Confederacy #15-17 No federal authority over the citizens #18-20 Weaknesses in other confederacies #21-22 Problems with the Articles of Confederation Power Needed to Fulfill Responsibilities #23-26 Foreign Defense #27-29 Domestic Defense #30-36 Taxation Drafting the Constitution #37-40 Constitutional Convention #41-44 Federal Powers #45-46 State Powers #47-51 “Separation of Powers” within the government Structure of Proposed Government #52-58 House of Representatives #59-61 Congress #62-66 Senate #67-77 Executive #78-83 Judiciary #84-85 Miscellaneous

6. The Federalist Papers “… the best commentary on the principles of government which was ever written.” --Thomas Jefferson “It is a complete guide to our Constitution, and it is appealed to by all parties in the questions to which that instrument gave birth.” -- US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall

7. The Federalist Papers Since the 1790s, politicians, lawyers, judges, and scholars have used ideas from The Federalist Papers to guide their decisions about constitutional issues of the day.

8. FEDERALIST No. 10 Friday, November 23, 1787--James Madison

9. Main Argument: A republican form of government, especially a large republic, will negate the problem of factions. • The causes of factions cannot be eliminated but it can be controlled. • A republic is the remedy for the problem of factions in a republic. • If a faction represents a majority opinion, it will be controlled in an extensive republic. • With a large number of electors, interests will be varied and no single set of interests will dominate. • With an extensive territory, a faction or factious leaders will be unable to gain control and dominate. • The division of power between the national and state governments (federalism) will allow for consideration of “great” interests which affect the public welfare of all people, as well as the particular interests of a state or region. http://www.bridgew.edu/History/TAH/pdf/Stevens%20Const%20Study%20Guide%20Key.pdf

10. Why is Federalist No. 10 considered one of the most important documents in US History? • Promotes the idea that government should represent the people (republic) • Refutes the claim that a pure democracy is the best form of government • Recognizes that factions are dangerous to democratic government • States that factions can be controlled by republican government • Claims and defends the argument that large and extensive republics do the best job of controlling factions, thereby pacing the way for both increased population and territory of the US. This point somewhat refutes the beliefs of the time that a smaller republic would be the most representative and therefore the best government. http://www.bridgew.edu/History/TAH/pdf/Stevens%20Const%20Study%20Guide%20Key.pdf