As the states decided whether or not to approve the Constitution, there was serious debate as to whether it gave too much power to the federal government. It is important to remember that America had just fought a war for independence largely because the central government in England had in the opinion of Americans, too much power. In this debate, many politicians shared Hamilton's views that a strong federal government, fewer states rights, and a "broad" interpretation of the Constitution was necessary for the survival of the young nation. These men banded together during the approval process and formed that nation's first political party, known as the Federalists. Hamilton, of course, became one of the party's leading spokesmen.