The Federalist Papers: Federalist No. 6 Summary & Analysis

Alexander Hamilton warns that if the states separate into independent confederacies, internal conflicts and rivalries will be inevitable. History shows that neighboring nations, even republics, often engage in war due to ambition, jealousy, and economic competition. He refutes the idea that commercial republics are naturally peaceful, citing examples like Athens, Carthage, and Britain, which frequently waged wars driven by trade rivalries and national pride. Republics, like monarchies, are ruled by people with personal ambitions, making them just as prone to conflict.

Hamilton argues that disunion would lead to factions, where powerful individuals manipulate public passions for personal gain, as seen in historical wars and uprisings. Even within the current union, rebellions like Shays’s Rebellion in Massachusetts prove that internal discord already exists. Without a strong national government, these disputes would escalate into open conflicts between states, turning them into rivals rather than allies. Hamilton dismisses the idea that neighboring states would naturally coexist peacefully, pointing out that history proves the opposite—proximity breeds hostility unless checked by a strong federal government. He concludes that only a united America can prevent destructive rivalries and internal wars, ensuring stability and security for all states.