The Federalist Papers’ Influence on the Ratification of the Constitution

Sample Outline

Title: The Federalist Papers’ Influence on the Ratification of the Constitution

Thesis: The Federalist Papers influenced the ratification of the Constitution by making some of their most important arguments, including the importance of being in a Union by having a Constitution, answering to the objections made by the Anti-federalists about separation of powers, and defending opposing arguments made against the characteristics of the executive and judicial branch as provided in the Constitution.

1. Introduction
2. Describe The Federalist Papers are and when they started
3. Thesis: The Federalist influenced the ratification of the Constitution by making some of their most important arguments, including the importance of being in a Union by having a Constitution, answering to the objections made by the Anti-federalists about separation of powers, and defending opposing arguments made against the characteristics of the executive and judicial branch as provided in the Constitution.
4. Background
5. State when The Federalist was printed and published.
6. Discuss the intentions and purposes of The Federalist.

III.     Argument for the benefit of a Union

1. A Union would guard against external dangers
2. A Union would guard against internal dangers
3. The “extended sphere” argument about how it will control factions. (Federalist 10)
4. Argument of the problem with complete separation of powers
5. Anti-federalists wanted a complete separation of the judicial, executive, and legislative branches
6. The Federalist said the maxim of complete separation of powers is misunderstood. (Montesquieu)
7. The branches need some limited power of the other branches to protect themselves from encroachment of the other branches (Federalist 51)
8. The branches need to have the interests of maintaining their powers, and not letting the other branches take that away.
9. Argument for a single executive, and against a plural executive
10. Anti-federalists didn’t want a single executive, too much like a monarch
11. The Federalist need the executive to be “energetic” and a plural executive would make this impossible (Federalist 70)
12. It would take too long for the people in the executive position to make decision in an emergency, because they might disagree.
13. In a plural executive, it is hard to tell who is responsible for a wrongdoing because they can all blame each other, so a single executive would lead to more responsible behavior
14. Argument in favor of judicial review and terms of good behavior for judges
15. Anti-federalists didn’t like judicial review and the term of good behavior
16. The Federalist argued that judicial review was necessary to protect the judicial branch from the Legislature.
17. A term of good behavior was necessary to get qualified people for the positions; it would also give them time to develop knowledge.

VII.     Conclusion

1. Thesis
2. The dates of the ratification of the Constitution by the States
3. The Federalist’s influence beyond the ratification