Federalist No. 70
Alexander Hamilton, 1788 — The Important Characteristics of the U.S. Presidency
Basic Information
Author: Alexander Hamilton (Publius) · Year: 1788
Main Topic: Argues for a strong, energetic, singular executive. This is a Required Source on the Argument Essay FRQ.
Memory Tricks
"70 = One Strong President" — Hamilton argues ONE person (singular executive) makes the best president — faster decisions, clear accountability.
"Energy = Strong Executive" — Hamilton's key term: Energy in the Executive. More energy = faster, more decisive action. Hamilton wanted a powerful president.
"Hamilton vs Madison" — Hamilton (Fed. 70) wants a STRONG executive. Madison (Fed. 51) worries about concentrating power. They are in tension — use this contrast on the AP exam.
Bullet Point Summary
The Constitution creates a strong executive that was missing from the Articles of Confederation.
This executive is critical for national defense, administration of federal laws, and protecting liberties.
The executive is critical as a counter-balance to legislative powers.
For accountability and efficient decisions, the executive should be a singular person, not a committee.
There should be significant energy in the executive branch.
Important Quotes
"Energy in the Executive is a leading character in the definition of good government. It is essential to the protection of the community against foreign attacks; it is not less essential to the steady administration of the laws."
"A feeble Executive implies a feeble execution of the government. A feeble execution is but another phrase for a bad execution; and a government ill executed, whatever it may be in theory, must be, in practice, a bad government."
"Wherever two or more persons are engaged in any common enterprise or pursuit, there is always danger of difference of opinion. If it be a public trust or office, there is peculiar danger of personal emulation and even animosity."
Argument Essay Connections
Document (+)
Federalist No. 10
Both support a strong national government to control factions
Court Case (-)
New York Times v. U.S.
Even a strong executive cannot use prior restraint to suppress press
Unit 1 (+)
Article II of the U.S. Constitution
Hamilton's vision shaped the constitutional presidency
Unit 3 (-)
Impeachment process
Congressional impeachment checks the strong executive Hamilton wanted
Unit 4 (+)
Presidential judicial appointments
Hamilton's energetic executive controls critical judicial appointments
Unit 6 (+)
Candidate-Centric Campaigns
Modern presidents personify Hamilton's singular energetic executive
Writing Practice
AP-Style Argument Essay Prompt
Develop an argument that evaluates whether the constitutional powers of the U.S. President are sufficient to provide the energy Hamilton described, given modern constitutional constraints.
Tip: Contrast Hamilton's ideal (energy, decisiveness, singular) with the reality of checks — impeachment, Senate confirmation, veto overrides. Does the modern President have too much or too little of Hamilton's energy?
Key Takeaways
- Argues for a strong, energetic, single-person executive
- Energy in the executive = decisive action, national defense, law enforcement
- A plural executive (committee) would be ineffective and prone to conflict
- Countered by Federalist 51 — Madison's concern about concentrated power