Federalists wanted a stronger federal government, based on their argument that, in order for the Union to last, the national government would need powers that the Articles of Confederation denied it. This included the power to enforce laws. In short, three important leaders, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison, wrote a series of 85 newspapers essays in support of the Constitution. These were called the <em>Federalist Papers</em>.
On the opposing side, there were the Antifederalists. While they did, in fact, agree that the Articles of Confederation were not strong enough, they were opposed to the Constitutional Convention, as they believed it had gone too far. They argued that the Constitution weakened state governments by giving too much power to the national government, which they feared would wipe out state freedom, as well as individual power.
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