Which is a core theme of the Federalist Papers? State governments should have greater say in decisions of the federal government. Federal action should require approval by a majority of the states. The proposed Constitution should be ratified. The proposed Bill of Rights should be ratified. 1 pts
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: The proposed Constitution should be ratified.
The Federalist Papers were a series of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay in 1787 and 1788. Their main purpose was to persuade the people of New York to support the ratification of the newly drafted United States Constitution. At the time, the Constitution faced strong opposition from those who feared that a strong central government might threaten individual liberties and state sovereignty. The Federalist Papers responded to these concerns by explaining how the Constitution would actually protect liberty while also creating a stronger, more effective national government.
A core theme throughout the essays is the argument that the Articles of Confederation were too weak to sustain the young nation. The authors believed that without a stronger federal government, the United States would face ongoing instability, economic troubles, and foreign threats. They emphasized that the proposed Constitution established a system of checks and balances and a separation of powers that would prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful. This structure was designed to protect the rights of individuals and ensure that the government remained accountable to the people.
The Federalist Papers also address fears about the loss of state power by arguing that the Constitution would create a federal system in which states retained significant authority while working in partnership with the national government. They reassured readers that the Constitution would not erase state governments but would instead unify them under a common framework for dealing with national issues.
In summary, the main theme of the Federalist Papers was to advocate for the ratification of the Constitution. The authors sought to show how the new government would function effectively while preserving liberty, preventing tyranny, and promoting unity among the states.
