What were the Federalist Papers intended to do?

The Federalist Papers were a series of essays written primarily by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, aimed at promoting the ratification of the United States Constitution. These papers were published during the period when the Constitution was up for debate among the states, and their purpose was to explain the Constitution’s provisions, address concerns about the new framework of government, and counter the arguments posed by those who opposed its ratification.

By outlining the principles behind the proposed system of government, such as the separation of powers and checks and balances, the Federalist Papers sought to persuade the public and the state legislatures of the Constitution's merits. They argued that a stronger central government was essential to the country's unity and the protection of individual rights, addressing fears that the new government could potentially lead to tyranny or be ineffective at governing.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the intent of the Federalist Papers. Supporting the Articles of Confederation would contradict the aim of strengthening national governance that the Federalist Papers advocated. Encouraging loyalty to Britain is unrelated, as the context was focused on establishing independence and a new government structure. Criticizing the existing government aligns more with the arguments made by Anti-Federalists, who were opposed to the Constitution due to fears of