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The name "federalist" is derived from ''[[The Federalist Papers]]'', a collection of newspaper columns that supported ratification of U.S. Constitution. The columns were written in 1787 by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. Those who supported ratification were called federalists, while those who opposed it were called "anti-federalists."

The name "federalist" is derived from ''[[The Federalist Papers]]'', a collection of newspaper columns that supported ratification of U.S. Constitution. The columns were written in 1787 by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. Those who supported ratification were called federalists, while those who opposed it were called "anti-federalists."

The Federalist Party was the first [[political party]] in the [[United States]]. In 1790, Hamilton proposed a set of reforms designed to put the new federal government on a strong financial basis. The plan divided Congress into factions. Those Congressmen who supported Hamilton's reforms became the Federalist Party. The opposition was led by Madison. Although Madison had been a leading federalist in the fight for ratification, he was not a member of Hamilton's Federalist Party. Conversely, [[Patrick Henry]], the most prominent critic of ratification, did join Hamilton's party. (Both of these positions may reflect Henry's rivalry with Madison.)

The Federalist Party was the first [[political party]] in the [[United States]]. In 1790, Hamilton proposed a set of reforms designed to put the new federal government on a strong financial basis. The plan divided Congress into factions. Those Congressmen who supported Hamilton's reforms became the Federalist Party. The opposition was led by Madison. Although Madison had been a leading federalist in the fight for ratification, he was not a member of Hamilton's Federalist Party. Conversely, [[Patrick Henry]], the most prominent critic of ratification, did join Hamilton's party. (Both positions reflect Henry's longstanding rivalry with Madison.)

After a period of dominance under presidents Washington and Adams, the Federalists found themselves in opposition and without outstanding leaders. Washington died in 1799, Adams retired in 1801, and Hamilton was killed by [[Aaron Burr]] in 1804. The party's base of support was in New England, a region dependent on trade with Britain. Meanwhile, Republican "war hawks" in the West and South saw war with Britain as a way of acquiring agricultural land in Canada and in the West. Federalist fortunes revived briefly during the War of 1812 due to the party's anti-war stand. With the war going poorly, the Federalists sponsored the [[Hartford Convention]] in 1814 to propose constitutional amendments. After the [[Treaty of Ghent]] and the [[Battle of New Orleans]] in 1815, the fear of defeat that inspired the convention was forgotten and involvement opened former participants to the accusation of treason.

After a period of dominance under presidents Washington and Adams, the Federalists found themselves in opposition and without outstanding leaders. Washington died in 1799, Adams retired in 1801, and Hamilton was killed by [[Aaron Burr]] in 1804. The party's base of support was in New England, a region dependent on trade with Britain. Meanwhile, Republican "war hawks" in the West and South saw war with Britain as a way of acquiring agricultural land in Canada and in the West. Federalist fortunes revived briefly during the War of 1812 due to the party's anti-war stand. With the war going poorly, the Federalists sponsored the [[Hartford Convention]] in 1814 to propose constitutional amendments. After the [[Treaty of Ghent]] and the [[Battle of New Orleans]] in 1815, the fear of defeat that inspired the convention was forgotten and involvement opened former participants to the accusation of treason.