The Federalist Papers: Arguments for the Constitution

What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for? Among many accomplishments, Franklin helped write the Federalist Papers. Actually, this is incorrect—Franklin did not write the Federalist Papers. The correct answer for the USCIS test is that the Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. They were essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay to convince New York voters to ratify the Constitution.

For the citizenship test, you need to know what the Federalist Papers did: they supported ratification of the Constitution. You should also know who wrote them: Hamilton, Madison, and Jay wrote the papers under the pen name “Publius.”

The Essential Facts

For the citizenship test, remember that the Federalist Papers supported ratification (passage) of the U.S. Constitution. The papers argued why states should approve the new Constitution.

The Federalist Papers consist of 85 essays published between 1787 and 1788. Alexander Hamilton wrote about 51 essays, James Madison wrote about 29, and John Jay wrote 5. They published these essays in New York newspapers under the shared pseudonym “Publius” to focus attention on arguments rather than authors’ identities.

The papers addressed concerns about the proposed Constitution. Many Americans feared the new federal government would become too powerful and threaten liberty. The Federalist Papers explained how the Constitution’s structure would prevent tyranny through separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism. The authors argued that a strong national government was necessary while demonstrating how constitutional limits would protect freedom.

Why the Federalist Papers Were Needed

After the Constitutional Convention in 1787, the proposed Constitution needed ratification by nine of thirteen states to take effect. This was not guaranteed. Many Americans opposed the Constitution for various reasons.

Anti-Federalists feared the Constitution created a government too powerful and too distant from the people. They worried about:

• No Bill of Rights: The original Constitution lacked explicit protections for individual liberties
• Strong Central Government: Federal power might overwhelm state sovereignty
• Presidential Power: The presidency might become a monarchy
• Senate Structure: Senators chosen by state legislatures seemed undemocratic
• Taxation Authority: Federal power to tax might become oppressive

These concerns were serious and widespread. Several states initially rejected or came close to rejecting the Constitution. New York was particularly important and particularly divided. Without New York’s ratification, the new nation would be split geographically between New England and the South.

Hamilton, Madison, and Jay launched the Federalist Papers campaign to address these concerns and persuade New York to ratify. They explained constitutional provisions carefully, responded to criticisms, and made arguments for why the Constitution would work. Their goal was practical persuasion, not abstract philosophy.

The Major Arguments

The Federalist Papers made several key arguments:

Federalist No. 10 (Madison) – Controlling Factions:
Madison argued that large republics better control dangerous factions than small ones. In a large nation, no single faction can easily dominate. Diverse interests balance each other. The Constitution’s structure channels factional conflict productively rather than suppressing it dangerously.

This essay is considered one of the most important political writings in American history. It explains how republican government can succeed on a large scale, contradicting previous political theory that said republics must be small.

Federalist No. 39 (Madison) – Republican and Federal:
Madison explained how the Constitution creates a government both republican (based on popular sovereignty) and federal (dividing power between national and state governments). It is neither purely national nor purely confederal but a mixture.

Federalist No. 47-51 (Madison) – Separation of Powers:
These essays explained how the Constitution separates legislative, executive, and judicial powers while creating checks and balances. Federalist 51 contains the famous line: “If men were angels, no government would be necessary.” Since humans are not angels, power must check power.

Madison argued that overlapping powers and mutual checks prevent any branch from becoming tyrannical. Each branch has motives to resist encroachments by others. Ambition counteracts ambition, protecting liberty.

Federalist No. 70 (Hamilton) – Executive Energy:
Hamilton defended a strong single executive, arguing that unity, duration, adequate support, and competent powers are essential for effective government. A weak or divided executive cannot protect the nation or execute laws effectively.

Federalist No. 78 (Hamilton) – Judicial Review:
Hamilton explained the judiciary’s role, arguing courts must interpret laws and constitutions. When laws conflict with the Constitution, courts must follow the Constitution. This essay provided early justification for judicial review, later established formally in Marbury v. Madison (1803).

Federalist No. 84 (Hamilton) – No Bill of Rights Needed:
Hamilton argued that the Constitution itself is a bill of rights, containing protections like habeas corpus, prohibition of ex post facto laws, and no religious tests. He also worried that listing specific rights might imply that unlisted rights don’t exist.

This argument failed to convince. The first Congress added the Bill of Rights as the first ten amendments, addressing widespread demand for explicit protections.

Historical Impact

The Federalist Papers did not single-handedly secure ratification. New York ratified the Constitution by only three votes (30-27) in July 1788, after nine other states had already ratified. Whether the Federalist Papers decisively influenced this narrow victory is debated.

However, the papers had enormous long-term impact. They became the most important commentary on the Constitution, cited repeatedly by courts, scholars, and politicians interpreting constitutional meaning. The Supreme Court has cited the Federalist Papers thousands of times when explaining constitutional provisions.

The papers influenced ratification debates beyond New York. They were reprinted in newspapers nationwide and published as a book. Other states’ ratifying conventions discussed arguments from the Federalist Papers. The essays shaped how Americans understood the new Constitution.

After ratification, the papers continued influencing constitutional interpretation. James Madison became the fourth President and “Father of the Constitution.” Alexander Hamilton became the first Treasury Secretary and shaped early federal government. Their writings in the Federalist Papers revealed their intentions and understanding of constitutional provisions.

What Made Them Persuasive

The Federalist Papers succeeded through several qualities:

Practical Focus: The authors addressed specific concerns with detailed responses. Rather than abstract theory, they explained how constitutional provisions would actually work.

Knowledge of History: The papers referenced historical examples from ancient Greece and Rome, medieval Europe, and recent American experience. This historical grounding made arguments more credible.

Candid About Problems: The authors acknowledged difficulties and challenges rather than pretending the Constitution was perfect. This honesty made them more persuasive.

Clear Explanation: Complex constitutional provisions were explained clearly for educated but not expert readers. The papers made the Constitution comprehensible.

Unified Voice: Publishing under one name (Publius) created appearance of consensus and collective wisdom rather than individual opinions.

Systematic Coverage: The 85 essays comprehensively addressed nearly every constitutional provision and objection, providing complete treatment of ratification questions.

The Anti-Federalist Response

The Federalist Papers were not unopposed. Anti-Federalists wrote numerous essays criticizing the Constitution and responding to Federalist arguments. Notable Anti-Federalist writers included:

Brutus (probably Robert Yates): Argued the Constitution created dangerously powerful national government that would destroy state sovereignty and individual liberty.

Federal Farmer (possibly Richard Henry Lee): Called for a bill of rights and smaller electoral districts to keep representatives closer to the people.

Cato (probably George Clinton): Warned against executive power and argued for maintaining state authority.

These Anti-Federalist writings raised legitimate concerns. Their advocacy led directly to the Bill of Rights being added as the first ten amendments. While they lost the ratification debate, their arguments influenced how the Constitution was implemented.

Modern Relevance

The Federalist Papers remain relevant today for several reasons:

Constitutional Interpretation: Courts cite the papers when interpreting constitutional provisions. The authors’ explanations of what provisions meant help courts understand original intent.

Political Theory: The papers contain sophisticated arguments about republican government, separation of powers, and federalism that remain important in political science.

Historical Understanding: The papers reveal how founders thought about government structure, what problems they tried to solve, and what outcomes they expected.

Education: Students studying American government read Federalist Papers to understand constitutional design and founding-era political thought.

Contemporary Debates: Modern arguments about federal power, executive authority, and constitutional interpretation often reference Federalist Paper arguments, showing their continued influence.

Connections That Matter

Understanding the Federalist Papers connects to Constitution ratification. The Constitution required approval from the people through state conventions. The Federalist Papers were part of this democratic debate about whether to adopt the new government structure.

The papers relate to separation of powers and checks and balances. They explained why dividing power among branches would protect liberty and how checks would prevent tyranny. These explanations remain authoritative on constitutional structure.

The Federalist Papers also connect to the Bill of Rights. While Hamilton argued no bill of rights was needed, the Anti-Federalist response showed widespread demand for explicit protections. This debate led to the first ten amendments.

For more on the Constitution, see our article on what it does in the uscis-questions category. To understand ratification debates, explore Anti-Federalist arguments. To learn about the authors, read about Hamilton, Madison, and Jay in our civic leaders section.

Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions

Who wrote the Federalist Papers?
Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. Hamilton wrote the most (about 51), Madison wrote about 29, and Jay wrote 5. They published under the pen name “Publius.”

Why did they use a pen name?
Publishing anonymously or pseudonymously was common in 18th-century political writing. Using “Publius” focused attention on arguments rather than authors’ personalities or reputations. It also created appearance of unified perspective.

Did the Federalist Papers convince people?
Somewhat. New York ratified narrowly, and the papers may have influenced some votes. Their long-term influence on constitutional interpretation has been more significant than their immediate persuasive effect.

How long are the Federalist Papers?
The 85 essays total about 175,000 words. Individual essays range from a few hundred to several thousand words. Some essays were published in multiple parts due to newspaper space constraints.

Which Federalist Paper is most important?
This is debated. Federalist 10 (factions), 51 (separation of powers), and 78 (judicial review) are most frequently cited and studied. Each addresses fundamental questions about constitutional government.

Did Benjamin Franklin write the Federalist Papers?
No. This is a common mistake. Hamilton, Madison, and Jay wrote them. Franklin was in Philadelphia during this time and supported the Constitution but did not write Federalist Papers.

Where can I read the Federalist Papers?
They are in the public domain and available free online, in print editions, and in many government document collections. Multiple websites provide searchable text.

Do the Federalist Papers have legal authority?
Not directly, but courts frequently cite them when interpreting the Constitution. The Supreme Court treats them as evidence of what constitutional provisions were intended to mean.

What about the Anti-Federalist Papers?
Anti-Federalist writings were never collected officially as “Anti-Federalist Papers” during that era. Modern scholars have compiled Anti-Federalist writings under this name. These essays argued against ratification and influenced the Bill of Rights.

What should I memorize for the citizenship test?
The Federalist Papers supported passage (ratification) of the U.S. Constitution. They were written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay. These are the key facts. Know what the papers did (supported Constitution) and who wrote them.