The main supporters of the Federalists in the newly emerged two-party system were primarily northern merchants. The Federalist Party, which was founded in the late 18th century, attracted support from those who favored a strong central government and policies that promoted commerce and trade, which were largely supported by merchants in urban areas.
In contrast, Thomas Jefferson's followers were aligned with the Democratic-Republican Party, which represented the interests of agrarian southern farmers and those who favored states' rights and a limited federal government. Political clubs were more of a grassroots organizational effort that could support various factions, but they were not a primary supporter of the Federalists as a group.
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