Lesson of the day
Federalist Papers: Read All About It
Listen: You can hear the episode here (Apple podcasts) on YouTube, or on our website. Feel free to take notes on our Graphic Organizer! When you listen to the episode, think about the following questions:
Do you think the Constitution would have been ratified if the Federalist papers had never been written?
How could a modern day lawyer or judge use the Federalist Papers to help them make an argument or a ruling?
Do: Read All About It!
The Federalist papers all argue in some way or another for the ratification of the Constitution. But that’s not all they’re doing! These essays also clarify what the Constitution actually says and why the new system of government is going to work.
Give the wheel a spin to pick one of the most important Federalist papers, then scroll down to figure out what it actually says.
Before you find dig in, consider this essay’s context. It’s 1787, maybe 1788, you’re a (literate) person living in in a brand new nation and things are looking precarious. Congress can’t repay their debts from the war, rebellions are flaring up, the Articles of Confederation don’t seem to be working very well. You pick up the morning paper to find yet another op-ed about this new proposed constitution everybody has been talking about.
Do you agree with this essay? Are James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay convincing?
Or are you someone who likes the Articles of Confederation? Are you wary of this new constitution? How would you argue against the idea in this essay?
Click on your federalist paper to read the whole text, or check out all 85 by clicking here!
Do: You can also take a QUIZ on the episode! Ten points possible.