(cheerful music) [Narrator] Alexander Hamilton didn't write the hit Broadway musical Hamilton, but he did write the Federalist Papers.

The term Federalist was first used in 1787.

Formed by Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, the Federalist encouraged the newly formed country to adopt the US Constitution and establish a stronger central government.

To promote these ideas, the three men wrote the Federalist Papers, which were 85 essays arguing for ratification, with Hamilton writing the majority.

Hamilton and the Federalist were able to convince Washington and his administration to embrace national and state debts, pass tax laws, and create a central bank.

This movement was met with fierce opposition by Hamilton's political rival, Thomas Jefferson, who worried about the loss of individual and state rights, but they were fundamental in preventing the destruction of the United States in its infancy.

The Federalist party's power dwindled after John Adams became president.