Federalist Party

The first governing party of the United States, active from roughly 1789 to 1816, built by Alexander Hamilton.

Overview

The Federalists coalesced around Alexander Hamilton and the ratification of the Constitution, favoring a strong central government, a national bank, close British trade, and an energetic treasury. Washington and Adams governed in their orbit, though Washington rejected party labels. After Adams lost the 1800 election to Jefferson, the party declined, fatally wounded by Hartford Convention secession talk in 1814-1815 and the fading of its New England base. It never won the presidency again. The Federalists nonetheless fixed lasting ideas: national finance, a strong judiciary, and the precedent of peaceful opposition, the first party to lose power and accept it.