The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.

Answers from the USCIS list

Give one of these answers. Words in light (parentheses) are optional.

• optional: (James) Madison
• optional: (Alexander) Hamilton
• optional: (John) Jay
• Publius

Our explanation

The Federalist Papers were 85 essays (short writings) printed in newspapers. They asked people to support the new Constitution. James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay wrote them. They signed every essay with one shared name: “Publius.”

Remember it

Remember HMJ: Hamilton, Madison, Jay — or the name they all signed, Publius.

Source

USCIS 2025 Study Guide pp. 33–34. Quote: “The writers of the Federalist Papers were James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay… signed the essays with the name “Publius”.”

• Civics (History and Government) Questions for the Naturalization Test (2008 version), rev. 08/21 (PDF, USCIS)

Last checked on September 29, 2026.

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