USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Jefferson gradually assumed leadership of the Republicans, who sympathized with the revolutionary cause in France. Attacking Federalist policies, he opposed a strong centralized Government and championed the rights of states.

Detailed explanation-2: -Jefferson was not a Federalist in the later use of the term; he led the opposite party. But Jefferson should be considered a Federalist of the 1780s variety, because he did favor strength-ening the national government, and he did support ratification of the Constitution despite having some reservations.

Detailed explanation-3: -Influential public leaders who accepted the Federalist label included John Adams, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Rufus King, John Marshall, Timothy Pickering and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney.

Detailed explanation-4: -The Federalists, led by Secretary of Treasury Alexander Hamilton, wanted a strong central government, while the Anti-Federalists, led by Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, advocated states’ rights instead of centralized power.