The Federalist 6:
Written by Alexander Hamilton
The last papers discussed why the new constitution would help us against foreign powers. Now we will discuss how it will help us sow peace domestically.
Some of the causes of hostility that operate over all society include the love of power or the desire of fame. As well as the jealousy of power, or the desire for equality and for safety. There are other causes, where those entrusted power by the masses may abuse it for personal gain. There are many examples from history (examples listed in original text).
Some of the detractors to the constitution say that peace will be maintained by intertwined economies. Commerce tends to extinguish desire for wars, and these separate states or confederacies will cultivate mutual interests.
This thinking is flawed—is it not in the interest of all nations to cultivate this same spirit? Haven’t we found instead that short-term interests can override the considerations of policy, utility and justice? Men in republics are just like men in monarchies—subject to all the same vices and impulses. Commerce has only succeeding in changing the objects of war.
- Discussion: Much of the wisdom of The Federalist seems to be in the distrust of human nature. To what extent do you think individuals, states, nations, etc. are subject to the vices of their constituents?
There are more examples which illustrate this point (examples listed in original text). Wars between the English and the French have even in great measure grown out of commercial considerations.
With all the cited examples of what has taken place in other countries, what reason can we have to expect peace between members of the present states if separated? We must awake from idle theories of perfection and adopt practical maxims.
The Federalist 7:
Written by Alexander Hamilton
In addition to all the general causes of dissension that could boil between the states, there are more acute ones as well.
Territorial disputes and undecided claims between states is a self-evident one. Dissolving the current confederacy would reignite old flames. The unclaimed Western territory poses a particularly ample field on which to sow hostility for many reasons (listed in original text).
In the current confederation, when disputes arose they were submitted to federal court. Those who could see inside those controversies know the fragility of the Confederacy if the states had used force over adjudication in the courts. Some states seem more willing to dismember their opposing state than to even establish their own claims.
Market competition would be another source of contention. States with worse resources would look to share upon the advantages of their neighbors.
Each state or separate confederacy would pursue their own system of commerce creating problems.
- Discussion: How do you think separate modes of commerce affects cooperation? Consider the U.S. versus Canada (similar) or versus Mexico (different). Or, alternatively, consider between California versus Texas/Florida if they acted as different confederacies.
States might try to secure exclusive rights to their own citizens (i.e. tariffs, etc). Such policies would beget outrages, leading to war.
The public debt of the current union would be another reason for discontent, in both raising and spending money. It is hardly possible to get agreement from all on how to split up the current confederation’s debt. The states disagree, and the citizens have little interest and even repugnance to paying back the domestic debt. Those who’ve acted as creditors would want fair compensation, and would likely end up in conflict with those who haven’t.
- Discussion: Hamilton thinks the “apportionment” and “extinguishment” of funds is hardly possible at all for the Union to agree on in terms of splitting up their existing debt. If it might be a cause for discontent now, how might Hamilton have thought that continuing to split debt wouldn’t cause more trouble?
Even if the states agreed on a rule on how to split the public debt, in reality it would be harder on some states than expected. They would seek to change the terms, further increasing tensions.
Even if they agreed on a rule on how to split the public debt, and even if it was apportioned fairly, late payments would inevitably arise, furthering increasing tensions.
By the preceding papers through this one, it should be clear that if we do not stand united, than divided we shall fall; as our alliances will tested by natural incentives and we shall devolve into the same politics and wars that Europe has experienced.
The Easy Federalist 
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