The group who supported the Constitution during the time of its ratification in the late 1780s called themselves Federalists. The Federalists were led by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, and they believed in a strong central government, a national bank, and a strong military. They argued that the Constitution was necessary to establish a stable and effective government that could protect the rights and interests of all citizens. The Federalists also supported the idea of a strong executive branch and the separation of powers, with checks and balances between the three branches of government.