Final answer:
The Federalist administrations during George Washington and John Adams' terms strongly promoted national unity and increased federal government power by advocating for a strong central government, advancing policies that supported the economic interests of the elite, and addressing both domestic and foreign challenges through a Federalist lens.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Federalist administrations of George Washington and John Adams significantly promoted national unity and advanced the authority of the federal government. The Federalists, which included figures like Alexander Hamilton and John Adams, advocated for strong central governance to ensure social stability and maintain liberty, believing that catering to the interests of the wealthy would benefit all and solidify national unity. Washington's presidency included economic initiatives, such as the controversial establishment of a national bank, which embodied the Federalists' support for a broad construction of the Constitution and the strengthening of federal power. Furthermore, the Federalist approach was evident in Washington's handling of foreign policy stances and domestic issues such as the Whiskey Rebellion.
Adams' presidency continued these policies despite increasing opposition, leading to the nation's first partisan election and the eventual rise of Republican opposition, which desired a more limited federal government. Adams and his administration's policies, coupled with Federalist ideas laid out in the Federalist Papers, sought to create a strong union to prevent foreign manipulation, internal dissensions, and potentially destructive factions. These policies from the Federalist Era laid the foundation for a strong centralized government, setting a precedent for how the constitution should be interpreted and the extent of executive power.