The main supporters of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution were known as the Federalists. They included prominent figures such as Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, who argued that the Constitution provided a necessary framework for a strong and effective central government that could unify the nation, protect against foreign threats, and manage domestic affairs
. George Washington also fully supported ratification, believing that a stronger national government was essential for the country's survival and prosperity
. Federalists tended to be wealthy and well-educated landowners, businessmen, former military commanders, merchants, clergymen, judges, lawyers, and professionals, many of whom favored a strong centralized government over weaker state governments
. They advocated for a government with checks and balances to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful, and they supported the indirect election of government officials and longer term limits for officeholders
. To promote ratification, Federalists wrote and published a series of 85 essays known as the Federalist Papers, authored by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay under the pseudonym "Publius," which articulated the benefits of the Constitution and addressed concerns raised by opponents
. Their efforts were crucial in persuading key states like Virginia and New York to ratify the Constitution, especially after promising to add a Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties
. In summary, the main supporters of the Constitution's ratification were the Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay, and supported by George Washington, who collectively argued for a stronger federal government to replace the weaker Articles of Confederation
