The Federalist Papers
Please read the first Fed paper (and any other that catches your attention) by Hamilton (Link is above). Please post a comment to this post that responds to the following queries:
What point is Hamilton making here?
What do you think about his argument?
Please be thoughtful in your comments!
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Mrs. Branigan
"For in politics, as in religion, it is equally absurd to aim at making proselytes by fire and sword. Heresies in either can rarely be cured by persecution."
ReplyDeleteHamilton's introduction to the Fed papers outlines his main purpose - to make a case for the new Constitution and appeal to the reason and rationality of the people. He acknowledges the pitfalls of having different factions, interest groups and motivations, and seeks to inform the public of the "truth" and protect them from impassioned demagoguery and other vices of politics. Hamilton is counting on the appeal of reason to sway or convert the public.
Hamilton believes in the power of the Constitution and defends it because he cannot tolerate the alternative. He readily acknowledges the inevitable bias he has to the reader, but clarifies it in the context of the subject at hand.
Hamilton emphasizes that people should not be swayed by others' opinions when deciding whether or not they will support the Constitution. He describes ulterior motives individuals may have for opposing, or supporting, the Constitution that are not in alignment with the interests of the Union.
ReplyDeleteHe goes on to discuss his own support of the document because of the way it establishes a firm central government for the Union, and he combats the proposal that the states should be ruled by separate governments.
In this paper, Hamilton presents a logical argument about the nature of a national debate, which remains true today with topics such as health care and taxes. At the end, he presents his own opinion as such, still allowing his reader to make his own decision about the issue.
I think that Hamilton is stating his support of the new constitutional government, but moreover, he outlines the manner in which the people and the drafters of the Constitution should proceed. He says that in times of political upheaval or new beginnings of a government it is easy and convenient to pass off opposing views as despotic. He urges the people to not be suspicious of each other and immediately jump to conclusions that an different view is seditious or unfounded. On the other hand, Hamilton also states to take other opinions with a grain of salt, that some people will argue a point not for the good of the people, but for the good of themselves. Hamilton says that this will be an introduction to despotism, and that the people must beware of desires for power disguised as concerns for the new government. He foresees the loud outcries of bitter citizens, which may be denounced as calls for despotism because of their angry nature. Hamilton essentially gives his support to the new Constitution, but urges the people to display caution and open-mindedness while drafting and establishing the Constitution.
ReplyDeleteHamilton, living during the founding of the United States, supports the institution of a Constitutional government. In making his argument, one of Hamilton's points is the idea of liberty. He believes that the only way to fully protect the people's liberty is to support a Constitutional government so that the government can secure it for the people.
ReplyDeleteSeeing his argument in hindsight, his efforts in making a Constitutional government are worthwhile in maintaining order and freedom for every citizen.
Hamilton uses his paper to point out the arguments for and against the Constitution. Throughout his paper he discusses why others may oppose the Constitution, while he supports it. One of the opposition's arguments is that the adaptation of the Constitution and a federal government will not serve the union well or keep it together as one due the broad government and the nature of men in different social classes. Hamilton counters this by making the point that this Constitution will create a strong Union that can ensure liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Others will say, however, that the nation is too large for a government that supports a strong Union. This discussion of the pros and cons of the Constitution serves as an introduction to the arguments made in the other Federalist Papers.
ReplyDeleteI felt slightly confused about his arguments. I feel that he made some good points, but I do not see any reasoning behind them. I find that he argued more for his opposition rather than his own opinion.
Serving as his introductory essay to his Federalist Essays, Hamilton uses Fed. No. 1 serves to appeal to his fellow citizens in supporting his ideas- a support for the New Constitution. While he finally admits to his bias, he stresses main points that are particularly appealing to the public. By admitting to his bias, he shows his support for his argument as a sincere defender, hoping his truth will sway the public. However, as Polina said, he still announces how the public should make their own decision, as a forced opinion never prospers.
ReplyDeleteThe general goal of these papers is to support the new Constitution. He tries to use reason and intellect to gain the support of the people. He implores the people to make the right choice which, of course, he believes is to be in favor of the new Constitution.
ReplyDeleteI think his argument is a sound one. The only way to appeal to the masses is through reason. While some may use bribery or trickery, that is only a way to get temporary support. Hamilton is trying to convince people to take advantage of their knowledge and this is the proper way to sway a group of people.
Hamilton starts in Federalist Paper No. 1 by outlining the main concepts and argument of the Federalist Papers. He proceeds by stating both sides- those for the new Constitution and those against it. He is evidently biased and supports the new Constitution, but makes note of this in the paper. Hamilton urges and emphasizes that the reader make the "right" decision. He discusses the importance of unity and keeping the Union together to maintain a centralized government among the states. It makes sense that this is Federalist Paper No. 1 because Hamilton does not discuss his ideas, rather just discusses choosing the right side. In conclusion, Hamilton is one nutty man.
ReplyDelete-Organized Constitutional government needs to be tried and tested.
ReplyDelete-Recognizes that a Constitutional government is too big to serve everyones individual interests
-There will be haters (haters are going to hate) but they're not necessarily truthful in why they hate the government
-Those people who seem so passionate against the Constitution don't have the betterment of the people in mind.
-These people who try to go against the government only seek power for themselves, and represent tyranny that is so craved by men of this nature.
-Hamilton seeks not to sway people into supporting the Constitutional government, but he seeks to remind people not to be biased. He supports the Constitutional government, clearly, yet there are a lot of people who don't. Hamilton just wants people to come to their own conclusions about it, because those who adamantly disagree with the Constitution most likely have anterior motives as to why they oppose
-Hamilton finishes with mentioning the old system of government. He, like every other citizen, has grown used to it and comfortable with it. Yet, being used to a system of government doesn't mean it is a satisfying government.
-If given a chance, this government could help this body of people thrive immensely int he future. Yet, Hamilton also recognizes that the pros and cons should be weighed and that the faults of this government will be revealed- and when they are, that's not necessarily a bad thing. When they're revealed, they're able to be fixed.
I think Hamilton's really got something here. He's simply stating that there's a new government coming in. Yeah, it's new and scary, but if they keep living the way they are in their simplified, specific governments, the future will be scary for them too. Opening up this new, big government that will govern over all of this territory will cause a lot of good things to amount, but also a lot of difficulties. As Hamilton points out though, every government has faults and this government shouldn't be knocked down in its beginnings just because of biased people with ulterior motives. This new, wide spread government will help to form a new, wide spread and thriving populous.
In this essay, Hamilton attempts to dismantle all arguments against the proposed Constitution. He explains that although people may fear the introduction of such an important document, its implementation is crucial to the integrity of the Union. He identifies the obstacles facing its ratification, but then goes on to mention the shortcomings of opposing arguments.
ReplyDeleteWhat makes Hamilton's method so effective is the way he clearly demonstrates his knowledge of the situation. Firstly, he admits his bias towards the proposed Constitution. Hamilton then addresses why some people may be opposed to this document. However, he finally gives a good explanation as to why the Constitution promotes liberty and ensures protection against tyranny.
In Hamilton's First Federalist Paper he supports the ratification of the constitution. He also addresses some concerns that some people might have about it, and some reasons for those concerns. He notes how he understands how some might be concerned about delegating their power to a central government, and how they might be wary about the powerful writing provisions into the document making, or keeping them powerful in the tradition of the european monarchies. He states that these people might have ulterior motives, to the detriment of the nation. He then states his intention to write a series of essays about how the constitution will improve upon the current system, and why the current system is inadequate. He writes how the nation is too big to manage under the current system and thus the government must be changed. I agree with his arguments. The US govt under the articles of confederation was very weak, and almost unable to defend itself and carry out basic duties, and that any danger from the constitution would still be better than the danger from the dissolution of the gov't.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, Happy Chanukah and Happy New Year Y'all!
ReplyDeleteHamilton is encouraging the people to not bend to others' influences when deciding their support for the new constitution. He feels strongly for this new constitution because he believes that the existing one cannot fully support the union. He believes this to be so important because America has seen the most happiness and prosperity at times when it was in Unity.
ReplyDeleteI like Hamilton's argument particularly because he does not insult the other side's argument in order to make his. Rather than show all the reasons why the other's motives are incorrect, he simply makes his case in a positive and highly reasonable manner. By doing so, he allows the reader to make an informed decision as opposed to feeling pressured into one choice or another--he allows the people the liberty to make the decision for themselves, though does so in a way that coaxes them into agreeing with his position.
Hamilton's focus here is to support the new constitution. He attempts to get the support necessary by speaking to the reason that he believes the people have. However, he also acknowledges the potential for difference of opinion on the constitution because he realizes that people may have different motives for supporting certain aspects of the constitution. He also tries to encourage independent thinking and discourage the supporting the constitution for one's own benefit versus what is positive for the people.
ReplyDeleteI feel that Hamilton did a good job of remaining unbiased. He demonstrated what he thought about the issue at hand and supported it, while also encouraging what the ethical response from the people would be.
1. What point is Hamilton making here?
ReplyDeleteI think that the main point that Hamilton is trying to make here is that the most important part of a society, the part that holds it together is the government. He recognizes that the current state of the government is not working and therefore they must get rid of it, and the people must decide what to do with their government, and he urges them to choose a constitutional government.
2. I agree with, and like Hamilton's argument because I think that he was able to get his point across rationally and by relating to the people in a way that they would understand. Along with the way he presented his argument, I also agree with his points about the benefits of a Constitutional government that he stated.