Which Option Best Completes The Diagram?

some leaders support a powerful federal government, while others supported states’ rights.

Now, let’s explain why this answer is correct and how it connects to the bigger picture of American politics.

1. The U.S. Constitution and Political Parties

When the Constitution was written in 1787, political parties did not yet exist in the U.S. The Founding Fathers had different views on how the new government should function, but they did not initially form official parties. However, soon after the Constitution was ratified, two major political groups emerged due to disagreements over government power:

• Federalists (led by Alexander Hamilton) → Favored a strong central government
• Democratic-Republicans (led by Thomas Jefferson) → Favored states’ rights and a limited federal government

This division laid the foundation for the two-party system in the U.S.

2. Why Did Leaders Disagree?

The debate over federal vs. state power was crucial because:

• The Federalists believed a strong central government was necessary for national stability, economic growth, and a unified country.
• The Democratic-Republicans feared that too much federal power could lead to tyranny (like the British monarchy they had just fought against). They wanted states to have more control over laws and policies.

This disagreement shaped American politics and led to the formation of political parties.

3. Why Is Answer C Correct?

The answer correctly states that some leaders (like Hamilton and the Federalists) supported a strong federal government, while others (like Jefferson and the Democratic-Republicans) supported states’ rights.

4. How Did This Impact the U.S.?

• The two-party system became the standard in American politics.
• Political debates over federal vs. state power continued throughout U.S. history (e.g., Civil War, Civil Rights Movement, modern policies).
• Even today, the Republican and Democratic parties have different views on the role of federal government.

Final Takeaway:

This historical disagreement between Federalists and Democratic-Republicans shaped American politics and established the two-party system that still exists today.