The Constitution’s Marketing Strategy

1. The Federalist Papers The Constitution’s Marketing Strategy

2. The Federalist PapersBackground • 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/vc16.jpg

3. The Federalist PapersBackground • 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, Madison 29, and Jay 5.

4. The Federalist PapersKey Ideas: Federalism • Why federalism? • Did not want an over-dominant 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/images_page/3_essays.jpg

5. The Federalist PapersKey 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.

6. The Federalist PapersKey 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

7. The Federalist PapersKey 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.”

8. The Federalist PapersKey Ideas: Human Nature and the Purpose of Government • Took a realistic view of human nature. • Man at his best was capable of reason, self-discipline, 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/Fall2002/Hamilton.jpg

9. The Federalist PapersFederalist 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

10. The Federalist PapersFederalist 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/JamesMadison_f.jpg