The first two-party system consisted of the Federalist Party, which supported the ratification of the Constitution, and the Democratic-Republican Party or the Anti-Administration party (Anti-Federalists), which opposed the powerful central government that the Constitution established when it took effect in 1789.
The federalist , led by Secretary of Treasury AlexanderHamilton,wantedastrongcentralgovernment, while the Anti-federalist, led by Secretary of the states ThomasJefferson,advocated states instead of centralized power.
