1. The Federalists
Lesson 14

2. LESSON OBJECTIVES…
EXPLAIN KEY ARGUMENTS OF THE FEDERALISTS
DISCUSS THE RATIFICATION PROCESS
Take and defend a position on the relevance
And validity of Federalist arguments today.

3. Strategies used by the Federalists in the struggle for ratification
Speed was of the essence – they wanted to organize more quickly
Pennsylvania—December 1787 –Western part of the sate could not organize quickly enough
Ratification was a difficult bitter battle
New York was particularly difficult
To help – jay. Hamilton and Madison wrote essays and letters under the name “Publius”
Used in Virginia also

4. Federalists used skilled methods
They present ideas in a way most Americans understood
The suggested that the Constitution was a clear, well organized plan for the national government
The did not press the compromises or debates that took place
The called it a “new science of politics” – meaning the Anti-federalists were outdated

5. Responding to the fears of the Anti-federalists
Many Americans agreed that a republican form of government would be difficult for a large, diverse nation.
History supported their concerns—
Republics had not faired well as they grew large
Transformation of Rome from republic from monarchial empire
How to solve the problem?
Madison in Federalist No. 10
Faction is the greatest danger
Turned Classical Republicanism upside down
Deals with those who promote their own self-interest over common good
What is common good
Does this still happen?

6. Dealing with factions….
If faction is a minority…the majority would outvote them in a democracy
Does this change modern day views about minority views
If faction is the majority …risk of majority tyranny in a democracy
How do we figure out what is then good for the republic?
Madison: Large nation too many factions lead to no majority
More “fit characters” to lead
Good representatives “enlarged” or “refined” the constituents views, rather than just merely representing them.
A republic could defect faction and representatives would see past narrow views

7. Central Arguments of Federalists
Civic Virtue cannot be relied upon as the sole support for government
Danger to common good is selfish interests
For centuries philosophers argued that a republican gov. needed civic virtue: common good above self interest
Delegates felt civic virtue was not reliable
State legislatures had passed laws helping those in debt while hurting their creditors -- create property issues
Constitution does not rest on civic virtue alone – Federalists: unrealistic to expect those living so apart to sacrifice for others

8. Central Arguments of Federalists
Constitutional checks and balances/sep of powers is the best way to promote republicanism
Believed that the way Senators and Representatives were elected would all ow for good government
Filtering the people’s vote through the Electoral College ensured that the most capable people would be elected.
Madison argued that State legislatures passed too many laws

9. Morton’s custom designs
Representation of different rights will protect basic rights
Legislative Branch:
House: Represents the peoples interests as the are elected from small congressional districts
Senate: Protects state interests as they are selected by State legislatures
Executive Branch:
President guards that national interests
Electors chose him/her from the top choices
Judicial Branch:
Ensures good judgement in national government
Independent of political manipulation
Answers only to the Constitution -- people when impeached

10. Response to a bill of Rights
National Government exercises only enumerated rights
Nothing gave National Government authority over individuals
Bill of Rights implies the government has rights the Constitution does not give it
Popular sovereignty give the people the power
The people can remove those who abuse their power

11. Success of Ratification
June 1788 – 9 states had voted to ratify
Neither Virginia or New York at that time had ratified
Wealthy states
Large populations
Needed for the nation to survive
Key geographical locations – slit the nation in two
New York was America’s primary commercial hub
Compromise: Agreement to add a bill of rights during the first meeting of Congress
Virginia – June 26,
New York 30-27