What was the major goal of The Federalist Papers?

The Federalist Papers were a series of essays written primarily by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay aimed at encouraging the ratification of the United States Constitution. The major goal of these writings was to articulate the reasons for supporting the proposed Constitution and to explain how the new government would function under it.

The essays address concerns about the lack of a strong federal government under the Articles of Confederation, the necessity for a system of checks and balances, and the protection of individual liberties while avoiding tyranny. By advocating for the Constitution's ratification, these papers played a crucial role in shaping public opinion and persuading the states to adopt the new framework of governance, thereby aiming for stability and unity post-independence.

The other options present different objectives: declaring independence pertains to earlier revolutionary efforts, establishing a new government aligns with the transition needed after the Declaration of Independence, and abolishing slavery involves a social issue that was addressed much later in American history. However, the focus of The Federalist Papers was specifically centered on advocating for the Constitution, making the support for its ratification the primary goal of these influential writings.