The main idea of this passage is to tell you about how the federalist papers let to the ratification of the constitution.The passage said,Alexander Hamilton decided to produce a number of printed essays that would explain the need for such a new constitution.These essays are now referred to as the "Federalist Papers".This shows that the main idea is to tell you about the ratification of the constitution because the federalist papers played a part in the constitution. This also shows that Hamilton wrote this to explain a need for a new constitution.The passage said,"These essays were invaluable in educating the public of the true purpose and value of the new constitution....After six weeks, and against all odds, New York ratified the U.S. Constitution" This shows that the essays educated people about the need for the constitution to be ratified. This also shows that it made new york want to ratify the constitution so the constitution was ratified. To summarize, the main idea of this passage is to explain/tell you how the federalist papers led to the ratification of the constitution.