Category — Federalist

The authors challenge popular perceptions of George Washington, drawing upon history to make their case. They also provide a glimpse of what those ignorant of our founding history are missing.   Read the rest of this entry »

In this essay Madison argues for American exceptionalism. He dismisses the argument that says "the form of government recommended for your adoption is a novelty in the political world." Rather he sees the republic as "the glory of the people of America" for "they accomplished a revolution which has no parallel in the annals of human society."   Read the rest of this entry »

Federalist No. 13 is short but surprisingly interesting for a look into Hamilton's brilliant political perceptions. In this essay, Hamilton is again arguing for the efficacy of maintaining the Union. This time his argument revolves around the economies of scale to be realized in one government rather than in several confederacies. Along the way he predicts that should the union be dismembered, it would be split between North and South.   Read the rest of this entry »

In Federalist No. 12, Hamilton shows how a consolidated federal government would be more able to raise revenue than separate States or confederacies. He also previews some of his later actions as Treasury Secretary, including the creation of a "coast guard" and a tax on whiskey.   Read the rest of this entry »

A quick summary of the 9th Annual Bill of Rights celebration at the Wrigley Mansion with Gary Johnson as a keynote speaker.   Read the rest of this entry »

Federalist Number 11 is yet another one of Hamilton's arguments for Union and the advantages it holds. In this paper Hamilton explores its benefits to commerce and the greater ability of a unified nation to field a strong navy. He concludes with some humorous jibes at European arrogance.   Read the rest of this entry »

Each of the Federalist Papers was an argument for ratification of the Constitution. Frequently the topic addressed was in rebuttal to something that those in opposition to ratification had already written about or in anticipation of an opposing argument yet to be heard. Federalist No. 10 addresses the issue of factions and whether a large republic is the best means of combating them.   Read the rest of this entry »

The Motor City Times blog has a piece that we wish we'd posted here! In it he has Madison ask the question: "What part of few and defined don't you get?"   Read the rest of this entry »

Federalist No. 9 is Hamilton's response to the common Anti-Federalist argument based on the theories of Montesquieu, who seemed to say in his The Spirit of the Laws that republics can only be successfully implemented in small territories. Hamilton dives deeper into Montesquieu's writing for his answer.   Read the rest of this entry »

Joel over at Today's History Lesson has a nice piece on Federalist No. 10.   Read the rest of this entry »