description Federalist No. 84 Overview
Federalist No. 84 is an essay by Alexander Hamilton published in 1788 as part of The Federalist Papers, a series defending ratification of the United States Constitution. Hamilton argued that a separate bill of rights was unnecessary and potentially dangerous because the federal government possessed only delegated powers. He also identified protections already contained in the proposed Constitution.
help Federalist No. 84 FAQ
Who wrote Federalist No. 84?
Federalist No. 84 was written by Founding Father Alexander Hamilton. It was published in 1788 as part of 'The Federalist Papers,' a series of 85 essays defending the ratification of the newly drafted United States Constitution.
What was the main argument of Federalist No. 84?
In this essay, Hamilton argued that a separate, written Bill of Rights was completely unnecessary and potentially dangerous to the republic. He believed that the Constitution itself established a government of limited powers that could not inherently infringe on inherent rights.
Why did Hamilton think a Bill of Rights was dangerous?
Hamilton warned that a Bill of Rights might be used as a pretext for the government to claim powers not explicitly forbidden to it. He argued that listing specific rights could imply that the government had the authority to regulate any rights not listed in the document.
Did Hamilton's view in Federalist No. 84 ultimately win out?
No, Hamilton's argument failed to convince the Anti-Federalists and the general public, who heavily demanded explicit protections for individual liberties. To secure the ratification of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights was ultimately drafted and added as the first ten amendments in 1791.
explore Explore More
Reviews & Comments
Write a Review
Be the first to review
Share your thoughts with the community and help others make better decisions.
