Hamilton headed the Federalist party. The Federalists were in favor of a strong federal government and weak state governments. They also were pro-British and opposed the French Revolution. Its followers were generally wealthy merchants, property owners, and urban workers who had ties to the commercial economy. The Democratic-Republican Party wanted a limited federal government with strong state governments. They were sympathetic to the French and hostile toward the British. They consisted largely of southern planters and northern farmers. Madison and Jefferson mainly headed this political party. The Washington administration consisted mostly of Federalists and the Federalists were in majority of the Congress during Washington's and Adams' administration. So, the Federalists passed a series of laws to keep themselves in power and promote their interests. They passed the Naturalization Act which extended minimum citizenship from five to fourteen years.

The Federalists also passed the Alien Act which gave the...