What major political division emerged from the Federalist and Anti-Federalist debates?

The emergence of political parties was a significant result of the debates between Federalists and Anti-Federalists during the founding era of the United States. The Federalists advocated for a strong central government, as outlined in the Constitution, believing that it was essential for maintaining order and unity in the newly formed nation. They were supported by figures such as Alexander Hamilton and John Adams.

In contrast, the Anti-Federalists opposed the Constitution, fearing that a powerful federal government would infringe upon the rights of individuals and the sovereignty of the states. They favored a more decentralized political system that included a Bill of Rights to safeguard individual liberties, with prominent leaders like Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry voicing their concerns.

These opposing viewpoints laid the groundwork for the system of political parties in the United States, with the Federalists evolving into the first political party that supported centralized authority, while the Anti-Federalists led to the Democratic-Republican Party, which championed states' rights and civil liberties. This division solidified the concept of organized political opposition and competition, fundamentally shaping the American political landscape.

The other options do not encapsulate the primary political division that arose from these debates; while public opinion polls, economic theories, and social movements certainly played roles in the