Which group favored the Constitution and believed in a strong central government?

The group that favored the Constitution and advocated for a strong central government was the Federalists. This faction emerged during the debates surrounding the ratification of the Constitution in the late 18th century. Federalists argued that a stronger national government was necessary to maintain order, provide for the common defense, and regulate commerce effectively across state lines.

Key figures, such as Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, promoted the Federalist vision through a series of essays known as the Federalist Papers, which underscored the need for a unified government to prevent the weaknesses that had been experienced under the Articles of Confederation. Their belief was that only a robust central authority could sustain the republic and ensure stability and prosperity for the new nation.

In contrast, the Anti-Federalists opposed the Constitution because they feared that a strong central government would threaten individual liberties and the rights of states. They believed in a more decentralized government structure. Meanwhile, Democrats, as a political party, did not exist at the time of the Constitution's ratification and evolved later in American political history. Libertarians, as a distinct political ideology and party, emphasize individual liberty and minimal government, which also does not align with the Federalist perspective.