Who were the advocates of a strong Federal government and supporters of the U.S. Constitution?

The correct answer identifies the Federalists as the advocates of a strong federal government and supporters of the U.S. Constitution. During the period surrounding the ratification of the Constitution in the late 18th century, Federalists, such as Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, argued for a centralized government that would have the authority to manage the affairs of the nation effectively, maintain order, and provide for national defense.

Federalists believed that a stronger federal government was necessary to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, which had created a loose alliance of independent states with insufficient authority to implement laws or collect taxes. They contended that the Constitution would create a framework for a more effective government, laying out a system of checks and balances to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.

The other groups mentioned in the choices had differing views. For instance, Anti-Federalists opposed the Constitution, fearing that a strong central government would infringe on individual and states' rights. Their push for a Bill of Rights highlighted their concern about the potential for government overreach. The Democrats and Whigs emerged later in U.S. political history and were more focused on issues pertinent to their respective eras, rather than the foundational debates surrounding the Constitution. Hence