Who was the leader of the Federalists?

Alexander Hamilton was the leader of the Federalists, a political group that emerged in the early years of the United States. The Federalists advocated for a strong national government and supported the ratification of the Constitution, emphasizing its ability to maintain order and provide for the common good. Hamilton, as the first Secretary of the Treasury, played a crucial role in shaping the nation's financial system and promoting policies that reinforced federal authority, such as the establishment of a national bank and the assumption of state debts.

In contrast, George Washington, while he did not formally align himself with any political party, often leaned toward Federalist principles. Thomas Jefferson and James Madison were key figures in the Democratic-Republican Party, which opposed many of the Federalists' views and promoted agrarian interests and state sovereignty. Understanding these distinctions is essential in grasping the early political landscape of the United States and the foundational debates about the role of government.