The Easy Federalist

The Federalist 11:

Written by Alexander Hamilton

One of the most agreed upon points is that the union is a good economic move.

Foreign European powers fear the economy and Navy that America could develop. They wish to prevent our interference in their navigation and monopolization of the profits of sea trade. They wish to clip our wings before we could become a great naval power.

By regulation we can make foreign countries bid against each other for the access to our market. For example, if we had a government capable of excluding Great Britain from trade in our ports, wouldn’t we be able to negotiate for valuable economic privileges in the British territories? Some might say that they could use the Dutch as an intermediary, but wouldn’t Britain still be injured by not carrying its own trade?

Considering this grants the belief that America could force Great Britain to relax her current restrictive system. It could allow us to enjoy the privileges of the markets of her West Indies islands, to our benefit.

Establishing a navy would further influence European conduct for our benefit. We’d be able to muster a navy that—if it couldn’t equal the greatest navies today—could at least tip the scales between two great powers. This would be particularly useful in the West Indies, and allow us to bargain for great commercial privileges

If we do not do all this, our economy will be prey to the intermeddling of all nations at war with each other. Having nothing to fear from us, they will steal our property to supply their war. Neutrality will only be respected when defended by adequate power. A weak nation forfeits even the privilege of being neutral.

• Discussion: Do you think weak nations forfeit the privilege of being neutral today? 

Under a federal government, the natural strength and resources of this country would overcome European ability to restrain our growth. It would even take away the motive to do so, as it would become impractical (and costly) that they would succeed. An active commercial sea trade and navy are thus a moral and physical necessity.

If we do not unify, the power of the maritime nations will conspire to ruin our independent sea trade. This, so they may monopolize carrying our wares, and we will be confined to passive commerce. The profits our trade will be snatched from us to enrich our enemies and persecutors.

There are great trade rights in America (fisheries, the lakes, the Mississippi). Dissolving the confederacy would surely mean the more organized powers would bully themselves into these areas to our disadvantage.

This naval resource will be not merely a partial benefit for the few but will be a universal resource for all states. Additionally, it is far more possible insofar as it has the resources of all states. The southern states furnish tar, pitch, turpentine, and superior naval wood. Southern and middle states yield a greater plenty of iron. Seaman themselves would be drawn mostly from the north.

Unrestrained trade between states will not only help satisfy each state’s needs but also help exports. Productivity will increase. When a staple crop fails in one area, in can benefit from another. Competition increases. Some goods are seasonal, but with increased trade and goods on the market it’s unlikely all will be unseasonal at the same time, and merchants will have more stability. The aggregate balance of commerce for the United States would be much more stable that thirteen ununified states.

It may be objected that even if the states are disunited, trade would still flow intimately between them. This intercourse would be interrupted however by multiple causes which have been amply detailed. A unity of commercial and political interests can only result from a unity of government.

There may be other points of view too futuristic and not appropriate for newspaper discussion. I’d point out that the world is politically and geographically divided into four parts. Unhappily for the other three, Europe has extended dominion over each. Europe tends to think of the rest of the world built for its benefit; it has developed a vain superiority complex. It has been said that animals and men degenerate in America. It is our job to vindicate the human race, and to humble Europe. Union will enable this. Let the thirteen states bound together to be superior to the control of all European states and dictate the connection between the old world and the new!

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