The Federalists were a political group that emerged in the late 1780s in support of the ratification of the United States Constitution. They believed in a strong central government with a powerful executive branch, a strong military, and a national bank. They argued that a strong central government was necessary to maintain order and stability, protect individual rights, and promote economic growth. In contrast, the Antifederalists were opposed to the Constitution and favored a weaker central government with more power given to the states. The Whigs were a political party that emerged in the 1830s and 1840s and were generally supportive of a strong federal government, but they were not active during the time of the Constitution's ratification.