Paper1

Rachel Geller Period 9 Mr. Nolan

__Federalist Paper Number One:__ **Summary of the paper:** The First Federalist paper begins with Alexander Hamilton discussing the need for a new Constitution for the thirteen states and was directed mainly at the people of New York who were the most concerned. He believed that the present form of government, over time, would create a division as individual needs will deter from the greater good of the Union. Hamilton expresses the need to preserve the union and establish a strong and spirited government by which patriotism would flourish and the true voice of the people would be heard rather than the voice of as he calls them, “certain class of people”. He declares that people need to answer a very important question “whether societies of men are capable or not of establishing good government from reflection or choice.” He basically suggests that the current people in power do not have the Unions best interest at heart. He was careful in his choice of words, as he did not want to make accusations. Hamilton states his position and urges his countrymen to adopt this new Constitution. He expresses that he is convinced the new Constitution would be “the safest course for your liberty, your dignity, and your happiness.” Hamilton ends the first paper by outlining various issues that the next series of federalist papers will address and urges citizens to make the right choice and support the ratification of the Constitution. **Objective:** The main objective Publius was trying to accomplish through this paper was that a ratification of the Constitution would bring a greater balance of power and clearly the voices of the many would be heard rather than the voices of the few as it stood. His goal was to enforce the understanding that a ratified Constitution would be more beneficial to all the citizens for which it governs. He believed the new Constitution would secure the future of the United States as a prospering world power. Clearly he had foresight, as this document became the standard by which all other free nations would compare to. **Strongest Arguments:** There were many strong arguments presented in the first Federalist Paper. The first and foremost argument was preserving the value of a prospering Union. Another strong argument was the need for conformity of the true principles of a Republican government. Also that the needs of one state should not represent the needs of all since all states need to be uniform in what is best for the Union. He refers to empires, which would indicate subdivision rather than a unified nation under a single Constitution. Lastly, the new Constitution will provide additional security in maintaining the liberty and property of the people of America. It clearly identifies that there are those who hold too much power and at any point could take away or control your freedoms afforded by this new Union. **Opposing Arguments of The Anti-Federalist:** The Federalist papers were trying to counter Anti- Federalists sentiments that the New Constitution will lessen the power of states in government. They argue that the thirteen states are too many, too spread out, and that each state should have the ability to self govern. They tried to counter that a centralized government or governing Constitution was and felt like what they just fought to break away from. By stating the “class of certain men” Publious showed that this was in fact the reason to support this ratification. **Assess the validity of their argument/ Flaws:** Although the first federalist paper presents many strong points, there are some flaws. Alexander Hamilton mentioned the division of society. This is a flaw because people should be treated equal and bestowed with the same opportunities whether they be rich, poor or even based on ethnicity. He is sending out a message that separation does take place and is not addressing a change of it. **Relevance Today: ** Legalizing marijuana- The States feel as though their power is being diminished because the Central Government is overriding the say of legalizing marijuana. Just as in the past, the anti- federalist feared the increased power of the Central government, the senators of California feel as though the Central Government has too much say and the States do not have enough. This is an example where the States feel the balanced of power is too much overwritten by the Federal Government. The Constitution has forever changed America and without it, America may not have become as safe ,secure and prosperous as it is today!