Name
Class
Date
Literature
Forming a Government
Federalist Paper, No. 15
by Alexander Hamilton
ABOUT THE READING The Federalist
Papers were published in several New York
State newspapers in 1787 and 1788 to
persuade voters to ratify the proposed constitution. There are 85 essays in total. They outline how the new government would operate
and explain why this type of government is
appropriate.
As you read the passage below, think about the
importance of educating the public about ratifying the Constitution.
In the course of the preceding papers, I have
endeavored, my Fellow Citizens, to place before
you, in a clear and convincing light, the importance
of Union to your political safety and happiness. I
have unfolded to you a complication of dangers to
which you would be exposed should you permit
that sacred knot which binds the people of America
together to be severed or dissolved by ambition or
by avarice, by jealousy or by misrepresentation. In
the sequel of the inquiry, through which I propose
to accompany you, the truths intended to be inculcated will receive further confirmation from facts
and arguments hitherto unnoticed. If the road, over
which you will still have to pass, should in some
places appear to you tedious or irksome, you will
recollect, that you are in quest of information on
a subject the most momentous which can engage
the attention of a free people; that the field through
which you have to travel is in itself spacious, and
that the difficulties of the journey have been unnecessarily increased by the mazes with which sophistry has beset the way. It will be my aim to remove
the obstacles to your progress in as compendious a
VOCABULARY
endeavored attempted
avarice greed
inculcated taught by persuasive repetition
sophistry misleading but
clever arguments
controverted contradicted;
denied
Hamilton believed that it was
important to the public safety
that the Constitution be ratified.
Underline the statement that
shows this.
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
13
Forming a Government
Name
Class
Date
Literature
Federalist Paper, No. 15, continued
manner, as it can be done, without sacrificing utility
to dispatch.
In pursuance of the plan, which I have laid down,
for the discussion of the subject, the point next in
order to be examined is the “insufficiency of the
present confederation to the preservation of the
Union.” It may perhaps be asked, what need is there
of reasoning or proof to illustrate a position which
is not either controverted or doubted; to which
the understandings and feelings of all classes of
men assent; and which in substance is admitted by
the opponents as well as by the friends of the New
Constitution? It must in truth be acknowledged that
however these may differ in other respects, they in
general appear to harmonise in this sentiment at
least, that there are material imperfections in our
national system, and that something is necessary to
be done to rescue us from impending anarchy. The
facts that support this opinion are no longer objects
of speculation. . . .
Publius
In this paragraph, Hamilton begins
to give his next point of view.
Publius was the pen name used
by Alexander Hamilton, James
Madison, and John Jay.
ANALYZING LITERATURE
1. Main Idea What did Hamilton tell the people in his previous papers and what
does he want to express with No. 15?
2. Critical Thinking: Drawing Inferences Why do you think the Federalist Papers
were considered to be the most noteworthy public-relations campaign in history?
3. Activity You work for a public relations firm handling the promotion of the
Federalist Papers. Prepare a public announcement to be read in every town square
in New York.
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
14
Forming a Government
Answer Key
Forming a Government
Literature
agree with them are wrong. This attitude
makes it hard for people to give up some
of their ideas.
2. The Constitution had been written by a
group of humans who always have both
strengths, such as wisdom, and weaknesses, such as selfishness and incorrect
opinions.
3. Franklin thought that a new government was needed and he believed that the
Constitution had created a government
that was as close to perfect as any group of
people could create.
MARGINAL ANSWERS
“I have unfolded to you a complication of
dangers to which you would be exposed
should you permit that sacred knot which
binds the people of America together to
be severed or dissolved by ambition or by
avarice, by jealousy or by
misrepresentation.”
ANALYZING LITERATURE
1. In the previous papers, he tried to con-
vince people that the importance of the
Union was for “political safety and happiness.” No. 15 explains why the present
confederation cannot preserve the union.
2. They convinced the public to endorse the
Constitution and eliminated the fears that
the Constitution would give the central
government too much power.
3. Students’ answers will vary.
History and Geography
The Northwest Territory
MAP ACTIVITY ANSWERS
1. 1. Ohio; 2. Indiana; 3. Illinois;
2.
3.
Primary Source–Iroquois
Great Law of Peace
4.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
5.
1. Chiefs must be people who are dedicated
to peace and who have the good of the
people as their primary consideration.
They should be both strong and kind.
2. On any serious matters affecting the survival of the tribe, the people’s decision
guides the decision of the Council. In
addition, men and women in each clan
may meet together to discuss issues affecting the people and may bring their concerns to the Council.
3. Sometimes laws need to change or new
laws need to be created to meet the needs
of changing communities. Law 16 tells
how to change laws or make new laws.
4. Michigan; 5. Wisconsin
Minnesota
Students should use a bright color to
shade the entire area of land that made up
the Northwest Territory.
Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake
Huron, Lake Erie
western boundary—the Mississippi River;
southern boundary—the Ohio River
ANALYZING MAPS ANSWERS
1. Location Mississippi River and Ohio
River, respectively
2. Describe When the population of the ter-
ritory increases to 60,000 free inhabitants,
it becomes eligible for statehood and can
draft a state constitution.
3. Identify Congress
4. Location Ohio; Ohio is the closest to the
other states.
5. Contrast Possible response: The thirteen
colonies became states automatically upon
the formation of the United States, while
those in the Northwest Territory had to
apply for statehood.
Primary Source–
Franklin Addresses the
Constitutional Convention
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
1. In Franklin’s view, people think that they
are always right and that those who disCopyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
32
Forming a Government