The Constitution’s Marketing Strategy

The Federalist Papers Background A collection of 85 essays written to promote the ratification of the United States Constitution. A 1787 version of a modern-day public relations/media campaign. Copy of The Federalist Papers

The Federalist Papers Background educate and influence New York and VirginiaWritten to educate and influence the voters of New York and Virginia. –Both ere split on opinions of the Constitution. –If either state voted against the Constitution, other states were sure to follow. John Jay, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton –Combined the efforts of John Jay, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton. Wanted to explain and defend the Constitution Hamilton wrote 51, Madison 29, and Jay 5.

The Federalist Papers Key Ideas: Federalism Why federalism? over- dominant central authority instability and disorganization of a loose alliance –Did not want an over- dominant central authority (Britain) or the instability and disorganization of a loose alliance (Articles of Confederation). Copy of The Federalist Papers

The Federalist Papers Key Ideas: Federalism balance and sharing of powerA new balance and sharing of power between the central government and the states was possible. Had never existed before in history, so the Founding Fathers were trying something different.

The Federalist Papers Key Ideas: Federalism Survival required the transfer of essential, but limited, powers to the national governmentSurvival as a respected nation required one thing: the transfer of essential, but limited, powers to the national government. Georgia Militia During Rev War

The Federalist Papers Key Ideas: Checks and Balances restricting government power and preventing abuseFirst time a government used in its political literature the ideals of Locke and Montesquieu as a way of restricting government power and preventing abuse. bicameral legislature –Use of a bicameral legislature to check the power of each house. separate –Establishment of separate judicial, executive, and legislative branches....office should check office –Madison stated that “...office should check office.”

The Federalist Papers Key Ideas: Human Nature and the Purpose of Government Took a realistic view of human nature. capable of reason, self- discipline, and fairness –Man at his best was capable of reason, self- discipline, and fairness. susceptible to passion, intolerance, and greed –Man is also susceptible to passion, intolerance, and greed. –Government must have the ability to control the governed and itself. Alexander Hamilton

The Federalist Papers Federalist No. 10 One of the most influential of all the Federalist essays The Federalist Papers Federalist No. 10. One of the most influential of all the Federalist essays –Madison wanted to break the control and violence caused by political factions. destroy the will of the majority –Passions or special interests that are united and politically active can have an adverse effect on society and destroy the will of the majority. James Madison

The Federalist Papers Federalist No. 10 religious, political, or economic lines –Strong political factions can divide the country along religious, political, or economic lines. –It is the job of the government to prevent any faction from imposing its will against that of the general public. geographic area for voting is larger –Unworthy leaders will have difficulty winning if the geographic area for voting is larger. James Madison