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Federalists favored a strong national government with supreme power over state governments. Leaving too much power in the hands of the states would only create another confederacy type of government with little power to act. The rights of citizens would be protected from the government via legislation, the courts, and the Bill of Rights. Federalists distrusted the masses to select the best candidates so they made only the House of Representatives directly elected by the people. Checks and Balances within the Constitution would make sure no one branch became too powerful. The President would have control over the military, necessary for national defense, but could not violate the laws. The Secretary of War would advise the President. The national government needed the power to tax and enforce the laws, or the ills of the Articles would hamper the development, agriculture and industry, of the new nation.