The Federalists were members of the first American political party, known as the Federalist Party, which was active primarily from 1789 to 1801. They were advocates for a strong national government, supporting the ratification of the U.S. Constitution to replace the weaker Articles of Confederation. Key leaders included Alexander Hamilton, John Adams (the only Federalist president), James Madison, and John Jay. The Federalists favored a centralized federal government, a robust national economy based on commerce and industry, close ties with Great Britain, and a strong military. They were generally supported by urban businessmen, bankers, professionals, and property owners, particularly in New England. The Federalists published the Federalist Papers, a series of 85 essays by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay, to promote ratification of the Constitution. They opposed the more populist Democratic-Republican Party led by Thomas Jefferson, which favored stronger state governments and agrarian interests. The Federalist Party declined after losing the 1800 election to Jefferson and eventually dissolved after the War of 1812, but its ideas strongly influenced the early structure of the U.S. government and legal system.
