United States Federalist Party

From Wikinfo

United States Federalist Party was a party that evolved from the rift over how much power the federal government should have over the states. Alexander Hamilton was the intellectual leader of the party, whose work in the Federalist papers made clear a preference for a strong, central United States government. The primary opposition to the Federalist Party was the Democratic-Republican Party, otherwise known as the "Anti-Federalists".

John Adams, who was president from 1797-1801, was the only president that was really squarely in the Federalist party as it existed. George Washington is often labeled a Federalist, and his philosophy may have aligned well with Federalist doctrine. However, Washington warned of the "baneful effects" of party politics (see George Washington's farewell address), and thus he never affiliated himself with any political party.

The Federalist party was destroyed by the War of 1812. The Federalist Party opposed the War of 1812 and decided to exercise their state rights not to be involved in the war under the Tenth Amendment of the United States Constitution.

Federalist Party candidates in U.S. presidential elections:

• John Adams (Won: 1796, Lost: 1800)
• Charles C. Pinckney (Lost: 1804, 1808)
• DeWitt Clinton (Lost: 1812)
• Rufus King (Lost: 1816)

See also: List of political parties in the United States

References

• Adapted from the Wikipedia article, "United States Federalist Party" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Federalist_Party December 1, 2003