Influence at the Founding: The Federalist Papers' effect on the Ratification of the Constitution
While the drafting of the American Constitution in the summer of 1787 is recognized as a contentious period, the ratification of the proposed Constitution in each of the states held its own challenges. The Federalist Papers are widely seen as providing the case for the confidentially crafted Constitution, particularly in the state of New York. Yet the extent to which they played a role in convincing citizens and delegates at the time remains unclear. This essay seeks to understand the role that these 85 Federalist Papers played in the Ratification debate in the state of New York.