Summary of THE FEDERALIST PAPERS

The Federalist Papers is a series of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay between 1787 and 1788. The essays were written to persuade the people of New York to ratify the new U.S. Constitution proposed at the Philadelphia Convention. The collection of essays expounds the political ideas behind the new Constitution, highlighting principles of the Republic such as federalism, checks and balances, separation of powers, and limited government. The collection of essays remains one of the most influential works in American history, still shaping debates in politics, law, and government today.