a rivalry between two competing factions – the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists – formed even before the U.S. Constitution went into effect in 1789. The split would eventually lead to the creation of two distinct political parties: the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans. The Federalists supported a strong, centralized federal government, while the Anti-Federalists -- who opposed the ratification of the Constitution -- believed a concentration of federal power could impede individual and states rights.
