The Founding Documents of the USA: Structure, Rights, and Federalist Papers

The foundational paperwork of the United States of America includes the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, all amendments to the Constitution, The Federalist Papers authored by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, and Common Sense by Thomas Paine. These written documents outline the structure of the US, rights of the people, and insights from key figures like the Federalist authors and Thomas Paine.

The Federalist Papers consist of 85 articles and essays penned under the pseudonym “Publius” to advocate for the ratification of the US Constitution. Notably, these papers opposed what would later become the US Bill of Rights. At the core of the debate was the idea of incorporating a Bill of Rights into the Constitution. Initially controversial, as the Constitution did not explicitly outline or safeguard individual rights, focusing instead on delineating government powers and leaving the rest to the states and the people. In Federalist No. 84, Alexander Hamilton expressed concerns that such explicit enumeration could limit people's rights by being interpreted as an exhaustive list.

Thomas Paine penned "Common Sense," a pamphlet urging independence from Great Britain to residents of the 13 Colonies. With his compelling and straightforward writing style, Paine utilized ethical and political arguments to inspire Colonists to fight for fair and equal government. Released anonymously on January 10, 1776, amidst the American Revolution, the pamphlet quickly captivated readers, becoming an instant success.