Alexander Hamilton was actually the generally acknowledged leader at the height of the Federalist party's power. John Adams however was their presidential candidate in the 1795 election because he had more political seniority outside of party affiliations.
Chat with our AI personalities
Anti Federalists were led by Patrick Henry of Virginia.
The federalist party believed in a strong centralized government and a loose interpretation of the Constitution and also supported the creation of a national bank. (led by Alexander Hamilton) The anti-federalist, or Democratic-republican party believed in a decentralized government with the power in the hands of the states and the people. They did not support the creation of a national bank and stuck to a strict interpretation of the Constitution. (led by Thomas Jefferson)
how did the nation's expansion hurt the federalist party?
In the 1790's Alexander Hamilton and the Federalist Party favored a strong centralized federal government and wanted the individual states to ratify the constitution, even though it meant the states had to give up some of their powers to the federal government.
Alexander Hamilton was never elected US President, although he may have aspired to the position. He was the first Secretary of the Treasury and leader of the Federalist Party.