And, it split power between three branches of government. All of this elaborate 'check and balance' system was intended to strengthen the central government while making sure that there were always forces in place to keep it from becoming too powerful. Federalists campaigned to support ratification because they believed the Constitution was the best way to balance these needs.
Those opposed to the Constitution called themselves Democratic Republicans. The battle over the Constitution was fought, state by state. And when critics of the Constitution were successful in persuading many Americans that it took too much power from ordinary people, the Federalists promised to write a Bill of Rights that would also secure certain rights to the people themselves.
These became the first ten amendments to the US Constitution. In May , 55 delegates gathered in Philadelphia to address the deficiencies of the Articles of Confederation and the problems that had arisen from this weakened central government.
The document that emerged from the Constitutional Convention went far beyond amending the Articles, however. Instead, it established an entirely new system, including a robust central government divided into legislative, executive and judicial branches. In New York, opposition to the Constitution was particularly strong, and ratification was seen as particularly important. Immediately after the document was adopted, Antifederalists began publishing articles in the press criticizing it.
They argued that the document gave Congress excessive powers, and that it could lead to the American people losing the hard-won liberties they had fought for and won in the Revolution. In response to such critiques, the New York lawyer and statesman Alexander Hamilton, who had served as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, decided to write a comprehensive series of essays defending the Constitution, and promoting its ratification.
As a collaborator, Hamilton recruited his fellow New Yorker John Jay, who had helped negotiate the treaty ending the war with Britain and served as secretary of foreign affairs under the Articles of Confederation.
The two later enlisted the help of James Madison, another delegate to the Constitutional Convention who was in New York at the time serving in the Confederation Congress. He wrote the first essay, which appeared in the Independent Journal on October 27, After writing the next four essays on the failures of the Articles of Confederation in the realm of foreign affairs, Jay had to drop out of the project due to an attack of rheumatism; he would write only one more essay in the series.
Madison wrote a total of 29 essays, while Hamilton wrote a staggering Faced with forceful Anti-Federalist opposition to a strong national government, the Federalists published a series of 85 articles in New York City newspapers in which they advocated ratification of the Constitution.
Through these papers and other writings, the Federalists successfully articulated their position in favor of adoption of the Constitution. In light of charges that the Constitution created a strong national government, they were able to argue that the separation of powers among the three branches of government protected the rights of the people.
Because the three branches were equal, none could assume control over the other. When challenged over the lack of individual liberties, the Federalists argued that the Constitution did not include a bill of rights because the new Constitution did not vest in the new government the authority to suppress individual liberties.
The Federalists further argued that because it would be impossible to list all the rights afforded to Americans, it would be best to list none. In the end, however, to ensure adoption of the Constitution, the Federalists promised to add amendments specifically protecting individual liberties Federalists such as James Madison ultimately agreed to support a bill of rights largely to head off the possibility of a second convention that might undo the work of the first.
Thus upon ratification of the Constitution, Madison introduced 12 amendments during the First Congress in States ratified 10 of these amendments, now designated as the Bill of Rights , in By this time the identity of "Publius," never a well-kept secret, was pretty well known. The Federalist , also called The Federalist Papers , has served two very different purposes in American history.
The 85 essays succeeded by helping to persuade doubtful New Yorkers to ratify the Constitution. Today, The Federalist Papers helps us to more clearly understand what the writers of the Constitution had in mind when they drafted that amazing document years ago. After each selection are two kinds of activities.
The first activity includes questions that should be discussed and answered by the whole class or in small groups. If necessary, refer to a dictionary or your government textbook. The second activity after each selection is intended as an individual or homework assignment. Federalist Paper Alexander Hamilton The principle purposes to be answered by Union are these -- The common defense of the members -- the preservation of the public peace as well as against internal convulsions as external attacks -- the regulation of commerce with other nations and between the States -- the superintendence of our intercourse, political and commercial, with foreign countries.
For Discussion 1. According to Hamilton, what are the main purposes of forming a Union under the Constitution? Make a list in your own words. Do the majority of Hamilton's purposes relate to domestic or to foreign affairs? Individual Assignment Which one of Hamilton's purposes do you think is the most important for the United States today?
Explain your answer in about words. Federalist Paper James Madison The accumulation of all powers legislative, executive and judiciary in the same hands, whether of one, a few or many, and whether hereditary, self appointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny. According to this excerpt, do you think Madison supported or opposed the principle of "separation of powers"? Refer to your government textbook if you are not familiar with this term. Why do you think Madison held this view of the "separation of powers"?
Individual Assignment In about words, describe a government in which all legislative, executive and judicial power is in the hands of one person or a single small group.
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