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Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Federalist Papers, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
The Importance of the Constitution
The Necessity of a Strong Union
Leadership and Representation
Checks and Balances
Federal Power vs. States Rights
Summary
Analysis
Alexander Hamilton addresses concerns about a standing army, arguing that a strong national military is necessary for the defense of the United States. He pushes back against fears that the new government will abuse military power, pointing out that the Constitution gives Congress, not the president, the authority to fund and regulate the army. Since military appropriations must be renewed every two years, the people’s elected representatives will have control over its size and use.
Hamilton approaches the issue of a standing army by directly addressing one of the Anti-Federalists’ most persistent fears—the potential for military oppression. Rather than dismissing these concerns, he reframes the conversation around checks and balances, emphasizing that control over military funding lies with Congress, not the executive branch. The requirement for biennial appropriations serves as a safeguard, ensuring that the power to maintain or dissolve the army ultimately rests with elected representatives.
Themes
Hamilton also argues that the country’s geographic position does not make it immune to threats—European powers still have territories nearby, and coastal cities remain vulnerable to attacks. A national military is necessary to deter foreign aggression, maintain stability, and prevent the kind of invasions that weaker nations have suffered throughout history. He criticizes those who argue that state militias alone can provide sufficient defense, explaining that militias are not always well-trained or prepared for immediate threats.
Beyond structural safeguards, Hamilton roots his argument in the practical realities of national defense, rejecting the assumption that America’s geographic isolation guarantees safety. Hamilton positions the standing army as a pragmatic necessity, not a philosophical ideal, grounding his argument in historical examples where nations without centralized defense structures were easily overrun by more organized powers.
Themes
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