Who were the main authors of the Federalist Papers?

The Federalist Papers were a collection of 85 articles and essays written to promote the ratification of the United States Constitution. The main authors of these influential writings were Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. They wrote under the pseudonym "Publius" and aimed to address concerns about the new framework of government, arguing for a stronger national government while reassuring critics that their rights would be safeguarded.

Hamilton, in particular, was a leading advocate for a strong central government and wrote the majority of the essays. Madison contributed significantly, especially in addressing concerns about factions and the structure of the government, which became fundamental in constitutional interpretation. John Jay's contributions mainly focused on foreign affairs and the importance of a unified government to effectively deal with international issues.

The other options mention notable figures who were involved in the early history of the United States but did not author the Federalist Papers. For instance, Thomas Jefferson, although he played a crucial role in drafting the Declaration of Independence, was not involved in writing the Federalist Papers, as he was serving as the American minister to France at the time.