Final answer:
During the ratification period, supporters of the Constitution called themselves Federalists, emphasizing the federal nature of the government. The opponents of the Constitution were known as Anti-Federalists, but this name was misleading.
Step-by-step explanation:
The supporters of the Constitution called themselves Federalists during the ratification period. They chose this name because they wanted to emphasize the federal nature of the government defined by the Constitution. However, it is worth noting that the government defined by the Constitution was more national than federal, as it had remarkable powers. The opponents of the Constitution were known as Anti-Federalists, but this name was an unfortunate choice because it gave the impression that they were opposed to federalism, even though many Anti-Federalists actually believed in a federal government.