The Federalist Papers: Federalist No. 8 Summary & Analysis

Alexander Hamilton claims that if the states were to break apart, frequent wars between them would bring devastation and ultimately lead to the rise of standing armies, which would threaten liberty. Unlike in Europe, where established military defenses slow invasions, the states’ lack of fortifications would make conquests swift and brutal. Larger states would easily overrun smaller ones, and war would become chaotic and predatory. Over time, the constant threat of conflict would force states to establish standing armies and strengthen executive power, gradually shifting them toward monarchy and despotism.

Hamilton argues that smaller states, needing protection, would be the first to militarize, creating an arms race among the confederacies. As stronger military states gained power, weaker ones would be forced to follow suit, leading to a cycle of militarization that would erode civil liberties. He contrasts this with Britain, where its island position allows it to maintain freedom without a large army. America, if united, could enjoy a similar advantage due to its geographic separation from Europe, reducing the need for a massive military presence. However, if divided, the states would be locked in constant preparation for war against each other, turning them into militarized governments like those of continental Europe.

Hamilton declares that the only way to prevent this dangerous future is to preserve the Union under a strong federal government. Without it, disunity would force the states into a militarized existence, where war, fear, and the erosion of liberty would become inevitable. He urges Americans to set aside minor objections to the Constitution and recognize that rejecting it would likely end the Union, leaving them vulnerable to the very dangers they seek to avoid.