Skip to Main Content

Educator Hub
Explore our wide range of educator resources
Resource Types
High School US History Resources
High School Government Resources
Middle School Resources
Elementary Resources - BRI Jr
Debate Resources
Categories
We Teach History & Civics
Each of our resources is free, scholar reviewed, and easy to implement. Browse our full collection by subject, grade-level, era, or term.
Explore All of Our Resources
Student Hub
Learn and grow with the Bill of Rights Institute
Video Resources
Homework Help Videos
Supreme Court Case Overview Videos
AP Gov Required Cases Videos
Resource Types
MyImpact Challenge
Showcase your service project for a chance to win $10,000! MyImpact Challenge accepts projects that are charitable, government intiatives, or entrepreneurial in nature. Open to students aged 13-19.
Find out More
Invest In Our Future
Learn how to become a corporate partner with BRI
Partner with Us
Power of the Printed Word
Civics for Everyone
Contact Us
Help give students the civic education they deserve
Make the most immediate impact through a gift to BRI today to promote freedom and opportunity for students and teachers across America.
Learn how you can support our work
About BRI
The Bill of Rights Institute teaches civics. We equip students and teachers to live the ideals of a free and just society.
Board and Staff
BRI Blog
FAQs
Statement of Academic Integrity
Join Our Team
Request Professional Development
Financial and Transparency
Press Information
Contact Us
Data Compliance
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
About Us
We seek an America where we more perfectly realize the promise of liberty and equality expressed in the Declaration of Independence. This calls for civic education that helps students examine the story of our country and exercise the skills of citizenship.
Learn More

The Federalist Papers Explained | What Was the Argument to Ratify the U.S. Constitution?

Description

How are the Federalist Papers structured? In this episode of BRI’s Primary Source Close Reads, Kirk gives an overview of the papers that called on American citizens to support the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. What examples and explanations does Publius give as to why the Constitution must be ratified? What do these papers tell us about the design of the Constitution?

Related Resources

Federalist Papers

What are the Federalist Papers? In order to help convince their fellow Americans of their view that the Constitution would not threaten freedom, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay teamed up in 1788 to write a series of essays in defense of the Constitution. The essays, which appeared in newspapers addressed to the people of the state of New York, are known as the Federalist Papers. They are regarded as one of the most authoritative sources on the meaning of the Constitution, including constitutional principles such as checks and balances, federalism, and separation of powers.

Federalist 1 Explained | Alexander Hamilton’s Call for a Stronger U.S. Government

What choice does Federalist 1 claim is before the people of the United States? In this episode of BRI’s Primary Source Close Reads, Kirk examines the first of the Federalist Papers and its call for a stronger constitution in the United States. What conversation is Publius setting up in this document through his rhetoric? What was the overall purpose of the Federalist Papers?

Public Good & Individual Rights: Federalist 10 Explained Part 2 | A Primary Source Close Read

How does the structure of our federal government promote the common good? This is one of the questions Kirk Higgins examines in part two of his analysis of James Madison’s Federalist 10. How can the government balance the competing interests of the public good and the rights of individual citizens? What constitutes a republican form of government? What makes a republican government work?

The Effects of Factions: Federalist 10 Explained Part 1 | A Primary Source Close Read w/ BRI

How does the structure of our federal government promote the common good? In this video, Kirk Higgins analyzes Federalist 10 and what the author, James Madison, argues is the problem with factions in a democracy. What are factions? How can the Constitution limit the effects of factions?

Balancing Ambition: Federalist 51 Explained Part 1 | A Primary Source Close Read w/ BRI

How does the structure of our federal system protect liberty? In part one of a two-part series, Kirk explains Federalist 51 in simple terms. How did the Founders set up a government that would balance power equally? Can personal motivations align with national interests while maintaining a balance of power in government?

Balancing Interests: Federalist 51 Explained Part 2 | A Primary Source Close Read w/ BRI

How does the structure of our federal system protect liberty? In part 2 of our "Federalist 51 Explained" series, Kirk explores Publius' arguments for how the Constitution protects minority rights. How does the Constitution balance multiple interests to pursue the common good? What does it mean when Publius says that justice is the end of government?