The federalist opposed the war in 1812, so I would say that they had a stronger political position
Reagan's response to the Soviet policy of glasnost was the cold war
The purpose of the watchdog role is to watch over the activities of a specifical part of the government and to report problems or illegal acts. It could be a person alone, a group or a committee. It also exists in private practice, as to avoid that a company acts wrong or against the laws and regulations.
After the Revolution, the slavery continued because the Founders had a difficulty on which one to prioritize. Their priority during that time was to break free from the British rule and to begin to work as a new nation. Slavery only ended up during the thirteenth amendment of the Constitution in the year 1835.