Final answer:
The Federalists were the proponents of adopting the new U.S. Constitution, which they believed was necessary for a strong and stable federal government. Prominent Federalists like James Madison and Alexander Hamilton played significant roles in advocating for the Constitution, which was eventually ratified and laid the foundation for current American governance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Who Wanted the New Constitution Adopted?
The group of people who wanted the new Constitution adopted were known as Federalists. These individuals recognized the inadequacies of the Articles of Confederation, especially in the wake of the economic crisis of the 1780s and events such as Shays' Rebellion. The Federalists saw the importance of a stronger federal government to provide stability and cohesion to the fledgling nation.
Key figures among the Federalists included James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, who were instrumental in pushing for the new U.S. Constitution during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 in Philadelphia. The Constitution presented a novel governmental structure - a Federal Republic, blending Enlightenment ideals with uniquely American concepts of self-government. The Federalists advocated for a balanced system of checks and balances spread across three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial.
Despite opposition from the Anti-Federalists, who feared the loss of state autonomy and the absence of a bill of rights, the Federalists launched a persuasive campaign to gain support for the Constitution. They argued that without such a centralized government, the Union would be weak and divided. Federalist Papers and other writings communicated the pressing need for a new form of democratic governance.
In the end, the pragmatic and forward-thinking vision of Federalists triumphed, resulting in the ratification of the United States Constitution, which established the framework for the nation still in use today. Their commitment ensured that the U.S. Government reflected principles like popular sovereignty and limited government, adapting ancient ideas into a modern context.