What is the purpose of the Federalist Papers?

The Federalist Papers were written primarily to explain and defend the newly proposed Constitution of the United States. Authored by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, these essays aimed to address the concerns of those skeptical about a strong central government. The authors sought to alleviate fears that the Constitution would create an overly powerful federal government that could threaten individual liberties and states' rights. By articulating the benefits of the Constitution, such as the checks and balances system, the division of powers, and the importance of a unified national government for maintaining order and liberty, the Federalist Papers helped to convince states to ratify the Constitution. Thus, the main purpose of the Federalist Papers aligns with the intent to defend the Constitution and reassure the public regarding the potential scope of federal power.