The Federalists were a political group during the ratification of the Constitution who supported a strong central government. They believed in a system where power was primarily held by the national government, with limited powers given to state governments.
Related terms
Anti-Federalist: A group that opposed the ratification of the Constitution because they feared it would create an overly powerful central government at the expense of individual liberties.
Ratification: The official approval or acceptance of a document or agreement, such as the Constitution, by vote or other means.
Power Distribution: Refers to how authority and control are divided among different levels or branches of government.