Final answer:
The Federalist Papers, a series of 85 essays written under the pseudonym Publius by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay, were critical in persuading the public to support the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The famous document largely responsible for the shift in public opinion towards supporting ratification of the United States Constitution was known as The Federalist Papers. These were a series of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay under the pseudonym Publius. The essays were published in newspapers and argued forcefully in favor of the new Constitution, countering the Anti-Federalist opposition which feared the potential for a tyrannical central government.
The Federalist Papers were successful in persuading wary New Yorkers and individuals in other states to ratify the Constitution. Their availability and the forcefulness of their arguments provided reassurance that the new government would not devolve into tyranny, especially with the promise that amendments would be added to protect individual liberties.
Through strategic writing and the promise of a Bill of Rights, these essays played a critical role in shifting public opinion and were instrumental during the ratification debates across the states.