Federalist Party

The Federalist Party was led by John Adams, Alexander Hamilton, and John Marshall. It formed from the federalists who before the ratification of the constitution fought for a stronger federal government. They were opposed at that time by the anti-federalists who morphed into the Democratic-Republicans after ratification.

• The first two presidents were federalists - George Washington and John Adams.

The federalist party was associated with the aristocracy and fought for the development of industry over agriculture.

Federalists typically favored allying with Great Britain over France.

The federalist party favored a stronger central government as opposed to stronger individual states.

A division occured within the federalist party during the War of 1812 that led to its demise. The last federalist presidential candidate was Rufus King in 1816.