The Essential Federalist and Anti-Federalist Papers

Here, in a single volume, is a selection of the classic critiques of the new Constitution penned by such ardent defenders of states' rights and personal liberty as George Mason, Patrick Henry, and Melancton Smith; pro-Constitution writings by James Wilson and Noah Webster; and thirty-three of the best-known and most crucial Federalist Papers by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. The texts of the chief constitutional documents of the early Republic are included as well.

David Wootton's illuminating Introduction examines the history of such American principles of government as checks and balances, the separation of powers, representation by election, and judicial independence—including their roots in the largely Scottish, English, and French new science of politics. It also offers suggestions for reading The Federalist, the classic elaboration of these principles written in defense of a new Constitution that sought to apply them to the young Republic.

“This is an excellent collection that fills a need--of all the document collections on the founding era, there is no one-volume collection with both Federalist and Anti-Federalist opinions--and none so affordably priced! I look forward to adopting this book in my general U.S. history and advanced U.S. legal history courses. --Christopher Capozzola, History Department, MIT”

"An excellent edition of the key writings surrounding the adoption of the American Constitution. The learned Introduction brings to life the key intellectual debates at the heart of modern constitutionalism as well as those concerning the American Constitution. A fine critical edition."
--Frederick Rosen, University College London

"This is an excellent collection that fills a need--of all the document collections on the founding era, there is no one-volume collection with both Federalist and Anti-Federalist opinions--and none so affordably priced! I look forward to adopting this book in my general U.S. history and advanced U.S. legal history courses."
--Christopher Capozzola, History Department, MIT

"A very useful, affordable edition of Federalist and Anti-Federalist writings. . . . The introductory essay is beautifully written and offers useful insights."
--Margaret Groarke, Manhattan College

David Wootton is Anniversary Professor of History, University of York.

Here, in a single volume, is a selection of the classic critiques of the new Constitution penned by such ardent defenders of states' rights and personal liberty as George Mason, Patrick Henry, and Melancton Smith; pro-Constitution writings by James Wilson and Noah Webster; and thirty-three of the best-known and most crucial Federalist Papers by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. The texts of the chief constitutional documents of the early Republic are included as well. David Wootton's illuminating Introduction examines the history of such American principles of government as checks and balances, the separation of powers, representation by election, and judicial independence--including their roots in the largely Scottish, English, and French new science of politics. It also offers suggestions for reading The Federalist, the classic elaboration of these principles written in defense of a new Constitution that sought to apply them to the young Republic.

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