History glossary
Federalists
supporters of stronger federal authority and, in the 1790s, the party associated with Hamilton and Adams.
- Category
- Political group
- Region
- United States
- Date range
- 1780s-1810s
What it means
Federalists first supported ratification of the Constitution and later formed a political party favoring stronger national authority, public credit, closer ties with Britain, and policies associated with Alexander Hamilton and John Adams.
