The Federalist Papers
by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison & John Jay

Narrated by Craig Deitschmann

Hear a sample from
The Federalist Papers

The U.S. Constitution was approved by the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787. It was to become law only if it was ratified by 9 of the 13 states. New York was a key state, but it contained strong forces opposing the Constitution. A series of 85 letters appeared in New York City newspapers between October, 1787 and August, 1788 urging support for the Constitution. These letters remain the first and most authoritative commentary on the American concept of federal government.

This letter-writing campaign was conceived and orchestrated by Alexander Hamilton, the moving force behind ratification in New York. Later known as The Federalist Papers, they were published under the pseudonym 'Publius', although written by Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay.

This presentation explores the major arguments contained in The Federalist Papers and contrasts them with the views of the Anti-Federalists. The controversies included are whether more power should be vested in the federal government; whether the federal government should have the power to tax; whether liberty can be maintained in a large geographical area; how divisive factions within a republic can be controlled; how protection against invasion can be assured; and how much power should reside in the Executive Branch.

On two audiotapes
Run time: about three hours total
Narrator: Craig Deitschmann
Author: George H. Smith and Wendy McElroy
Publisher: Knowledge Products, Inc.

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