Federalist Party

a political party of the United States. The Federalists became the leading party under the administration of George Washington. They elected John Adams, but were defeated by the election of Thomas Jefferson to the presidency. The party was in favor of a strong central government. The Federalists were very much injured by the famous Hartford Convention which opposed the War of 1812 and had the reputation of planning secession. During the following administration, that of James Monroe, the Federalists were lost sight of entirely. See Democratic Party