Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun
- a political group that favored the adoption by the states of the Constitution.
- a political party in early U.S. history advocating a strong central government.
noun
- the American political party founded in 1787 and led initially by Alexander Hamilton. It took an active part in the shaping of the US Constitution and thereafter favoured strong centralized government and business interests
The first American political party. The Federalist party developed during the presidency of George Washington and was led by Alexander Hamilton and John Adams. Federalists believed in a strong federal government and advocated economic policies that would strengthen the federal government, such as the creation of a national bank. The opposition to the Federalists was led by Thomas Jefferson.