The Federalist Papers contain 85 essays written to support ratification of the United States Constitution.
The essays appeared in New York newspapers from 1787 to 1788 under the shared pen name “Publius.” Alexander Hamilton wrote the majority, while James Madison and John Jay wrote the rest. The series explained and defended the proposed Constitution during a closely contested ratification debate.
Hamilton later collected the essays in book form. Their subjects included the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, the need for a stronger union, the structure of the proposed government, and safeguards against faction and tyranny. Federalist No. 10, written by Madison, is especially famous for its discussion of political factions.
The number 85 can be confused with the number of states needed for ratification, but the Constitution required nine of the thirteen states. New Hampshire became the ninth in 1788. The essays remain important evidence of how some framers and supporters explained the Constitution during the founding era commemorated by America250.