What term describes supporters of the Constitution and of a strong national government?

The term that describes supporters of the Constitution and advocates for a strong national government is Federalists. This group emerged during the late 18th century, particularly during the debate surrounding the ratification of the Constitution. Federalists believed that a robust central government was essential for maintaining order, providing for the common defense, and promoting economic stability. They argued that the Articles of Confederation were too weak to effectively govern the new nation and stressed the need for a government capable of addressing the challenges that the United States faced at the time, such as interstate trade issues and national security.

Key figures among the Federalists included Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, who further promoted their viewpoints in a series of essays known as The Federalist Papers. These writings aimed to articulate the benefits of the proposed Constitution and to persuade the states to ratify it.

Understanding this historical context highlights the ideological divide between the Federalists and other groups, such as the Anti-Federalists, who opposed the Constitution out of fear that a strong national government might infringe on individual liberties and states' rights. The other terms, such as Democrats and Progressives, refer to different political movements and ideologies that emerged in the United States at later times and are not relevant to the