The Federalist Papers are a collection of 85 articles and essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay in the late 18th century. They were created to promote the ratification of the United States Constitution and explain the principles behind the new government structure. These writings address various topics, including the necessity of a strong central government and the importance of checks and balances. The Federalist Papers remain a crucial resource for understanding the intentions of the Founding Fathers and the foundational ideas of American democracy.