Which faction believed the country needed a strong central government to manage trade, foreign affairs, and national defense?

• A. Anti-Federalists
• B. Federalists
• C. Both
• D. Neither

Answer: (B)

The idea tested here is why supporters of a stronger national government argued that trade, foreign affairs, and national defense should be managed at the national level. After the Articles of Confederation, the central government was weak, making it hard to regulate commerce between states, negotiate with other nations, or raise and sustain a defense. Those who backed the Constitution argued that a united framework was needed to give the central government clear powers over economic policy, diplomacy, and defense, ensuring stability and national security. They believed these functions worked best when controlled by a single, stronger national government rather than by individual states. This is why the faction described is the Federalists.