Final answer:
The Federalist Papers were authored by James Madison, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton, outlining the principles of a strong central government with a system of checks and balances.
Step-by-step explanation:
The authors of the Federalist Papers were James Madison, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton. These key figures among the Founding Fathers produced a collection of essays and articles that played a crucial role in the ratification of the United States Constitution. Their writings explained the necessity of a strong central government while ensuring that such a government would not become tyrannical due to the system of checks and balances, making a case for unity under a single federal government.