Alexander Hamilton and the Federalist Papers
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1. For what purpose did Hamilton, Madison, and Jay write the Federalist papers?
2. Out of the 85 essays which make up the Federalist papers, how many did
Hamilton write?
3. What analogy did Hamilton use to describe the role of the states and the
federal government?
4. What does bicameral mean? How do Hamilton and Madison view the possible temperaments
of the House and Senate?
5. What qualities of human nature does Hamilton see as needing regulation?
Exerpt From Fderalist Paper #8 by Hamilton Look
up the words in bold letters- define these
If
we are wise enough to preserve the Union we may for ages enjoy an advantage
similar to that of an insulated situation. Europe is at a great distance
from us. Her colonies in our vicinity will be likely to continue too much disproportioned
in strength to be able to give us any dangerous annoyance. Extensive
military establishments cannot, in this position, be necessary to our security.
But if we should be disunited, and the integral parts should either remain
separated, or, which is most probable, should be thrown together into two or
three confederacies, we should be, in a short course of time, in the
predicament of the continental powers of Europe -- our liberties would be a prey
to the means of defending ourselves against the ambition and jealousy of
each other.
This is an idea not superficial or futile, but solid and weighty. It
deserves the most serious and mature consideration of every prudent and
honest man of whatever party. If such men will make a firm and solemn pause,
and meditate dispassionately on the importance of this interesting idea; if they
will contemplate it in all its attitudes, and trace it to all its consequences,
they will not hesitate to part with trivial objections to a Constitution, the
rejection of which would in all probability put a final period to the Union. The
airy phantoms that flit before the distempered imaginations of some of its
adversaries would quickly give place to the more substantial forms of dangers,
real, certain, and formidable.
Exerpt from Anti-Federalist Article No. 3 The
following was published in the Maryland Gazette and Baltimore Advertiser, March
7, 1788. The true identity of the author is unknown.
...As to any nation attacking a number of confederated independent republics ...
it is not to be expected, more especially as the wealth of the empire is there
universally diffused, and will not be collected into any one overgrown,
luxurious and effeminate capital to become a lure to the enterprizing ambitious.
That extensive empire is a misfortune to be deprecated, will not now be
disputed. The balance of power has long engaged the attention of all the
European world, in order to avoid the horrid evils of a general government. The
same government pervading a vast extent of territory, terrifies the minds of
individuals into meanness and submission. All human authority, however
organized, must have confined limits, or insolence and oppression will
prove the offspring of its grandeur, and the difficulty or rather
impossibility of escape prevents resistance.
6. What are the two points of views in these two articles?
7. Given what you know about history since these were written, comment on the historical events which have proved these arguments to be true/false.