In this paper, John Jay is calling on Americans to learn from European history and choose union over disunion. He is responding to anti-federalist arguments that Americans’ interests are best served by dividing the country into multiple sovereignties. He contends that such a course of action would produce a weak, fractious America constantly at war with itself.

John Jay is also seeking to use fear of foreign domination to garner support for the concept of a single American union.

Appropriate credit is given to Brittany Nelson and Christopher Higgins (second revision 09/15/2011). Weinbloom, Elizabeth ed. “The Federalist Papers Essay 5 Summary and Analysis”. GradeSaver, 30 December 2011 Web. 15 January 2019.

You can read the summary and analysis of Essay #4 in GradeSaver by clicking HERE.

You can read the entire text of Essay #5 by clicking HERE.