The Federalist Papers

The Federalist Papers

by

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay

The Federalist Papers: Federalist No. 18 Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
Alexander Hamilton and James Madison argue that history proves weak confederations do not last, using past examples to show why the Articles of Confederation will fail. They point to the ancient Greek city-states and the medieval Holy Roman Empire, both of which struggled because their central governments were too weak to maintain order. They describe how the Greek city-states formed leagues to work together, but since these alliances lacked strong central authority, they constantly fought among themselves. This internal division made them easy targets for foreign powers, leading to their downfall.
Hamilton and Madison use historical parallels strategically to frame the U.S. as part of a broader pattern in which weak confederacies collapse under internal conflict and foreign interference. They both highlight examples of systems that struggled with decentralization and became vulnerable to external domination as a result. By referencing the Greek leagues, Hamilton and Madison emphasize how alliances without strong enforcement mechanisms inevitably break down into rivalry and war, leading to their easy conquest.
Themes
Similarly, the Holy Roman Empire was a loose collection of states with a weak central ruler, which made it ineffective at enforcing laws and protecting itself from outside threats. Hamilton and Madison warn that the United States is making the same mistakes. If the country remains divided under a weak national government, it will suffer from infighting, economic instability, and vulnerability to foreign influence. They assert that a strong federal government is necessary to prevent history from repeating itself.
Madison and Hamilton’s reference of the Holy Roman Empire deepens their warning to the American public, for whom the Holy Roman Empire represents a more recent and recognizable case of decentralized failure. Its weak emperor, constrained by independent local rulers, was unable to maintain order or defend the empire effectively. By drawing this parallel, Hamilton and Madison not only critique the inefficacy of the Articles, but they also highlight the long-term consequences of fragmented authority.
Themes
LitCharts Logo

Upgrade to unlock the analysis and theme tracking for all of The Federalist Papers!