Federalist Papers Study Guide

fed papers 1, 5, 9, 10, 23, 48, 51, 67, 78, 84

Fed 1

Introduces federalist papers & the importance of having a unified govt as is outlined in the Constitution 

Fed 5

Targets the dangers of disunity among the states; people overestimate the “friendly bonds” established between states and people in the AoC; targets weaknesses of such a union in regards to foreign & domestic problems 

Fed 9

Highlighting how constitution provides checks and balances; sep of powers, confederate REPUBLIC helps maintain unity; keeps sovereignty of states

Fed 10

Dangers of faction & how free speech & natural rights facilitate it; better to mitigate faction as stifling liberty would be like removing all the air from the atmosphere to kill a single fire

Fed 23

Speaks to the necessity of a navy and army concentrated in the federal government; to take out state sovereignty in that matter for fears of an inability to cooperate. Also calls for the importance for a constitutionally unbound set of powers to be given to the Congress in matters of war

Fed 48

Preaches the importance of a separation of powers; notices that a demarcation of bounds on PAPER is not enough; needs to be maintained in practice. Similarly, brings up examples of state Congresses overreaching: Virginia and Pennsylvania, which, respectively, had taken the prerogative of the Executive and Judicial in their hands; sometimes both.

Fed 51

“If men were angels, no government would be necessary”. Checks and balances between bodies of governments; necessity of a fed govt despite challenges; also refers to internal controls between government branches (exec is self-regulating & judicial is shortly limited in function as is)

Fed 67

Defends the Executive branch and the President who serves as federal magistrate; specifically targets the notion that the president is a king & specific abuses of power, such as the ability to appoint members of the Senate or justices in the Supreme Court. Hamilton disproves both; claiming that the former is an express right given to STATE executives during recesses in Senate proceedings ALONGSIDE the executive.

Refers in large part to the Judicial branch. “No force or will; merely judgement”. Also notes that the role of JUDGE must be separate from that of JURY and EXECUTIONER; hence why the Judiciary is separate from the Executive and Legislative. Notes how it is the right of the Judiciary to interpret the laws. Claims that Justices serve indefinitely, for a variety of reasons. Quotes the indifference needed to be a Justice; quotes the necessity for deep study of the law in order to be a Justice

Fed 84

Argues AGAINST adding a bill of rights; Since the Constitution grants the federal government only specific, delegated powers, Hamilton argues that everything not given remains with the people. Unlike monarchies, where a Bill of Rights protects people from the king, the American system begins with the sovereignty of the people, making such protections less necessary. Idea is that it limits the rights of the people by implication.