Read the following excerpt from Federalist #3 by John
Jay,
Which of the following best explains John Jay's
The number of wars
position on maintaining a state of peace with other
which have happened or will
nations?
happen in the world will
always be found to be in
proportion to the number and
weight of the causes,
By going to war at every opportunity, America will
whether REAL
or PRETENDED, which PROVOKE or
enjoy a reputation of being strong and prosperous to
INVITE them. If this remark be just, it becomes useful
the rest of the world.
to inquire whether so
many JUST causes of war are
By maintaining
strong state govemments and
likely to be given by UNITED AMERICA as by
militias, Americans are more likely to protect
DISUNITED America; for if it should turn out that
themselves from invasion.
United America will probably give the fewest, then
it
will follow that in this respect the Union tends most to
By keeping America united under a strong national
preserve the people in a state of peace with other
govemment, Americans are more likely to have safe
and peaceful lives.
nations.
By staying isolated from the rest of the world,
Americans will
enjoy peace regardless of whether
America is unified.