What was the main argument the Federalists used to support the ratification of the Constitution?

• A. It preserved states' rights and limited central power
• B. It created a direct democracy
• C. It created a stronger national government
• D. It restricted the power of the presidency

Answer: (C)

The main idea the Federalists stressed was that a stronger national government was needed to fix the problems left by the Articles of Confederation. They argued that the new Constitution would create a unified central authority with enough power to tax, regulate trade, defend the country, and coordinate actions among the states. At the same time, it would use checks and balances and a system of representation to prevent abuse of power, balancing national authority with protections for liberty. This is why the best answer is that the Constitution creates a stronger national government. It isn’t about preserving states’ rights, it isn’t about a direct democracy, and it doesn’t aim to restrict the presidency—the Constitution actually establishes an executive and a broader national framework to govern effectively.