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The '''Federalist Party''' was the first grass-roots political party in world history. It was founded by [[Alexander hamilton]] in the early 1790s to rally national support for Hamilton's economic programs and creation of a strong national government. Notable spokesmen included [[Alexander Hamilton]], [[John Jay]], [[John Adams]] and author [[Noah Webster]]. The party greatly admired [[George Washington]]; Washington was never a member but did endorse most of its policies. The Fedralists were vigorously--and even viciouslyy--opposed by the [[Democratic-Republican Party]] formed by [[Thomas Jefferson]] and [[James madison]].  The federalists elected Adams in 1796, but were defeated in 1800 and subsequent elections.

The '''Federalist Party''' was the first grass-roots political party in world history. It was founded by [[Alexander Hamilton]] in the early 1790s to rally national support for Hamilton's economic programs and creation of a strong national government. Notable spokesmen included [[Alexander Hamilton]], [[John Jay]], [[John Adams]] and author [[Noah Webster]]. The party greatly admired [[George Washington]]; Washington was never a member but did endorse most of its policies. The Fedralists were vigorously--and even viciouslyy--opposed by the [[Democratic-Republican Party]] formed by [[Thomas Jefferson]] and [[James madison]].  The federalists elected Adams in 1796, but were defeated in 1800 and subsequent elections.

==History==

==History==

The Federalists advocated a strong national government, with little or no power in the hands of the states.  Their foreign policy was pro-British and anti-French, leading to conflict with the Francophile Democratic-Republicans. In terms of economics, they subscribed to the Hamiltonian notion that the United States must engage in manufacturing and commerce in order to become a great power.

The Federalists advocated a strong national government, with little or no power in the hands of the states.  Their foreign policy was pro-British and anti-French, leading to conflict with the Francophile Democratic-Republicans. In terms of economics, they subscribed to the Hamiltonian notion that the United States must engage in manufacturing and commerce in order to become a great power.

==Confusion on name==

==Confusion on name==

The Federalist party of the 1790s is often confused with the "Federalists" of 1787-88, because of overlapping membership. The Federalists of 1787-88, were a loose coalition led by hamilton and Madison that supported ratification of the Constitution. They were opposed by an even looser coalition called "Anti-federalist." Neither group was a party and neither ran candidates, and both disappeared after the Constitution was ratified in 1788. Madison was a leader of the Federalists of 1787-88, but broke with Hamilton and formed the opposing [[Democratic-Republican party]] along with Jefferson.   

The Federalist party of the 1790s is often confused with the "Federalists" of 1787-88, because of overlapping membership. The Federalists of 1787-88, were a loose coalition led by hamilton and Madison that supported ratification of the Constitution. They were opposed by an even looser coalition called "Anti-federalist." Neither group was a party and neither ran candidates, and both disappeared after the Constitution was ratified in 1788. Madison was a leader of the Federalists of 1787-88, but broke with Hamilton and formed the opposing [[Democratic-Republican Party]] along with Jefferson.