How America’s founding fathers valued and prepared for US national security.
In 1787, not all 13 of the original colonies were enthusiastic about the proposed US Constitution. One of the sticking points was how the fledgling country was to “provide for the common defense,” a sentiment so prominent in the Preamble. A series of 85 essays, The Federalist Papers, were written to persuade the people of New York State and others to support ratifying the draft Constitution. Over 235 years ago, the founding fathers anticipated that the nation would face significant foreign threats, and they argued in favor of establishing a framework for national security.
The Federalist Papers Anticipated Future Defense Needs
With a defense budget exceeding $850 billion in Fiscal Year 2025 and the immense military complex the funding serves,…
