Final answer:
The Federalist Papers were a series of 85 essays promoting the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay. They argued for a strong central government and a system of checks and balances to prevent tyranny. These influential essays are now key to understanding the framers' intent with the Constitution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of the question refers to The Federalist Papers, a series of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay under the pseudonym Publius. Originally published in newspapers, these essays were a defense of the newly proposed U.S. Constitution and aimed to persuade the public of its merits. The two main points emphasized were the necessity of a strong central government, particularly for foreign affairs, and the idea that the separation of powers within the government would prevent any one branch from becoming tyrannical, offering a system of checks and balances.
Published as a book in 1788, The Federalist, they now serve as a primary source for understanding the intentions of the framers of the Constitution. Their role in aiding the ratification process, especially in New York, was significant, as they outlined the diplomatic and domestic advantages of a unified nation under one federal government.