Federalist #6

Concerning Dangers from Dissensions Between the States  (Hamilton)

In essay number six, Hamilton outlines the need for the states to join together under a common constitution that will lower the risk of dissention among the states that could potentially erupt into conflict. Citing several historic examples from Europe and Antiquity of both non-commercial and commercially-oriented nations going to war (rebuffing the notion that common commercial interests would keep neighboring entities free from conflict), in fact, Hamilton argues, neighbors often are more likely to have conflict, not less. Hamilton concludes with the suggestion that America should not see itself as truly unique and not subject to similar dangers faced by historic republics with similar commercial interests and ambitions.

Hamilton opens with remarks stating that to dismiss the notion that neighboring states not closely unified under a common cause would reframe from the common need to engage in frequent conflicts is pure “utopian speculation” and a rejection of historic examples going back through the ages. He cites many reasons in which nations have engaged their neighbors in conflict. the personal ambitions from leaders of the community, the protection of liberty and security, and  to preserve or secure commercial or military advantage were all cited by Hamilton, and he further states that such conflicts have been undertaken from states with varying interests including republics, states with commercial interests, and monarchies alike.

Attacking key points of why commercial interests do not prevent conflict, Hamilton visits historic examples that, in his view, disprove this claim. Personal motives among one or a few led to very destructive conflicts in Ancient Greece (PELOPONNESIAN war) and led to the eventual collapse of the Athenian commonwealth. In England, the prime minister, in promoting selfish ambitions and at great risk to his nation and greater Europe, went to war with France. Finally, Hamilton addresses the direct point regarding commercial interests suppressing the need for inter-state conflict by citing several examples of commercially-oriented states engaging in very costly conflicts with their neighbors. Great Britain, with commercial interests always at the forefront of foreign and domestic policy, according to Hamilton, has been one of the most warring nations of all time. Athens, Carthage, and Sparta, all republics, he argues, were historically to be just as likely to go to war as monarchies; furthermore, Athens and Carthage both being commercial republics. The point here is that Hamilton wishes to state that conflict can erupt not just from the ambitions of a few, but even from the greater population within one or several neighboring states.

Hamilton concludes the essay stating that America should not be lolled into the notion that it alone is special and not subject to the whims and human behaviors that are sometimes petty, violent, jealous, angry, wanting, and needful. He cites violent examples of small conflicts that have sprung up in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts, as to why this republic, though commercially-oriented in nature, is still subject to the pitfalls that have plagued other nations in the past. Hamilton concludes the essay citing “an intelligent writer” whereas the problem and solution are contain in one passage that neighboring states are natural enemies where common weaknesses prompt them to join in a common constitution where it outlines the resolution and prevention of conflicts between such neighbors.