In the ratification debates, supporters of the Constitution who favored a stronger national government were known as:

In the ratification debates, supporters of the Constitution who favored a stronger national government were known as:

• A. Federalists
• B. Anti-Federalists
• C. Democratic-Republicans
• D. Whigs

Answer: (A)

Understanding who argued for a stronger central government during the ratification debates helps you see why this term fits. Those in favor of adopting the Constitution and creating a stronger national government were known as Federalists. They believed the central government needed real taxing power, the ability to regulate interstate and international commerce, and a unified defense—provisions the Articles of Confederation lacked. They argued that a powerful but checked government, with a system of separation of powers, would guard liberty and provide stability. They wrote the Federalist Papers to persuade states to ratify and to outline how the new government would operate. The other groups don’t align with this description: Anti-Federalists favored greater power for state governments and insisted on a Bill of Rights to limit federal authority. Democratic-Republicans, a later political faction, emphasized limited federal power and favored agrarian interests. Whigs came later as a separate party and were not part of the ratification debate.

Understanding who argued for a stronger central government during the ratification debates helps you see why this term fits. Those in favor of adopting the Constitution and creating a stronger national government were known as Federalists. They believed the central government needed real taxing power, the ability to regulate interstate and international commerce, and a unified defense—provisions the Articles of Confederation lacked. They argued that a powerful but checked government, with a system of separation of powers, would guard liberty and provide stability. They wrote the Federalist Papers to persuade states to ratify and to outline how the new government would operate.

The other groups don’t align with this description: Anti-Federalists favored greater power for state governments and insisted on a Bill of Rights to limit federal authority. Democratic-Republicans, a later political faction, emphasized limited federal power and favored agrarian interests. Whigs came later as a separate party and were not part of the ratification debate.