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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

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?