Who were the Federalists?

The Federalists were supporters of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, which was drafted in 1787. They believed that a strong central government was necessary to maintain order, provide for the common defense, and regulate interstate commerce effectively. Federalists argued that the Constitution would create a system of checks and balances that would prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful, thus protecting individual liberties while ensuring a functioning government.

Prominent Federalists included figures such as Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, who wrote the Federalist Papers to advocate for the new Constitution and address the concerns of skeptics. Their efforts were critical in persuading many delegates and states to ratify the document, ultimately leading to the establishment of the federal government as we know it today.