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Federalists

Definition

The Federalists were a political group that supported the ratification of the U.S. Constitution and advocated for a strong central government. They believed in a loose interpretation of the Constitution, favored industrialization and commerce, and were led by figures like Alexander Hamilton and John Adams.

Analogy

Think of the Federalists as a team of superheroes who wanted to assemble all their powers to create a strong central government for the United States. They believed that this unity would ensure stability and progress, just like how combining different superpowers makes them stronger together.

Related terms

Anti-Federalists: This refers to a group of individuals who opposed the ratification of the U.S. Constitution because they feared it would lead to an overly powerful central government at the expense of individual liberties.

Ratify/Ratification: Ratification is when an agreement or document, such as a constitution, is officially approved or accepted. In this context, it specifically refers to whether or not states agreed to adopt and implement the U.S. Constitution.

Constitutional Convention: This was a gathering held in Philadelphia in 1787 where delegates from various states came together to draft and discuss the U.S. Constitution. It was during this convention that important debates took place between Federalists and Anti-Federalists regarding its content and ratification process.