What term did supporters of the Constitution adopt during the ratification debates?

During the ratification debates of the United States Constitution, supporters of the new framework for governance referred to themselves as Federalists. This term was chosen to highlight their advocacy for a strong national government that could effectively manage the affairs of the nation and maintain order and unity among the states. The Federalists argued that a functioning federal system was necessary to prevent the chaos and dysfunction that they believed could arise under the Articles of Confederation, which had proven inadequate for governing the growing nation.

This group played a significant role in the Constitutional Convention and was instrumental in promoting the ratification of the Constitution through a series of essays known as The Federalist Papers. These writings, authored by prominent figures such as Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, elucidated the principles of federalism and defended the structure of the new government against criticisms from its opponents, who identified themselves as Anti-Federalists. Therefore, the term "Federalists" captures the essence of their agenda: supporting a centralized government that could operate effectively and respond to national issues.