The Constitutions Marketing Strategy The Federalist Papers Background

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 http: //www. loc. gov/exhibits/madison/images/vc 16. jpg

The Federalist Papers Background • Written 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. – Combined the efforts of John Jay, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton • Wanted to explain and defend the Constitution. • Hamilton wrote 51, 51 Madison 29, 29 and Jay 5.

The Federalist Papers Key Ideas: Federalism • Why federalism? – Did not want an overdominant central authority (Britain) or the instability and disorganization of a loose alliance (Articles of Confederation). Copy of The Federalist Papers http: //cspaf. uchicago. edu/images_page/3_essays. jpg

The Federalist Papers Key Ideas: Federalism • A 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 as a respected nation required one thing: the transfer of essential, but limited, powers to the national government Georgia Militia During Rev War http: //gagen. i-found-it. net/continental-army-1. jpg

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

The Federalist Papers Key Ideas: Human Nature and the Purpose of Government • Took a realistic view of human nature. – Man at his best was capable of reason, selfdiscipline, and fairness – Man is also susceptible to passion, intolerance, and greed – Government must have the ability to control the governed and itself. Alexander Hamilton http: //www. columbia. edu/cu/alumni/Magazine/images/Fall 2002/Hamilton. jpg

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. – 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 http: //www. bartleby. com/124/madison. gif

The Federalist Papers Federalist No. 10 – 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. – Unworthy leaders will have difficulty winning if the geographic area for voting is larger James Madison http: //news. mst. edu/images/James. Madison_f. jpg