Which political group advocated strong state governments and eventually became known as the Democratic-Republicans?

Which political group advocated strong state governments and eventually became known as the Democratic-Republicans?

• A. Federalists
• B. Loyalists
• C. Anti-Federalists
• D. Merchants

Answer: (C)

Focusing on how power was distributed between the national government and the states clarifies this choice. In the early United States, debate over a strong central government versus states’ rights led to the formation of the Anti-Federalists, a group that insisted most authority should stay with the states and that a bill of rights was essential to protect individual liberties. Over time, this faction coalesced into a political party known as the Democratic-Republicans, led by Jefferson and Madison, which pushed for limited federal power and greater state authority. This is why the group described as advocating strong state governments and later becoming the Democratic-Republicans is the Anti-Federalists.

Focusing on how power was distributed between the national government and the states clarifies this choice. In the early United States, debate over a strong central government versus states’ rights led to the formation of the Anti-Federalists, a group that insisted most authority should stay with the states and that a bill of rights was essential to protect individual liberties. Over time, this faction coalesced into a political party known as the Democratic-Republicans, led by Jefferson and Madison, which pushed for limited federal power and greater state authority. This is why the group described as advocating strong state governments and later becoming the Democratic-Republicans is the Anti-Federalists.