Who wrote the Federalist Papers?

The Federalist Papers were authored by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay as a series of essays aimed at promoting the ratification of the United States Constitution. These documents were crucial in explaining and defending the principles underlying the Constitution, addressing concerns of anti-Federalists, and clarifying how the new government would function.

Hamilton wrote the majority of the essays, while Madison contributed significantly to several key pieces, particularly those that outlined the theory of government and the checks and balances system. Jay's contributions, while fewer, were nonetheless important in articulating the necessity of a strong national government. This collection of essays is often cited as a foundational text in American political thought, emphasizing the importance of a strong federal system and the principles of democratic governance.

The other names and combinations mentioned in the other options do not accurately reflect the authors of the Federalist Papers. For instance, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, George Washington, and others noted were influential figures in American history, but they did not collaborate on the Federalist Papers. Likewise, the philosophers mentioned in the last option focused on earlier Enlightenment thoughts rather than contributing directly to the debates surrounding the U.S. Constitution.