Question

how did the idea of federalism develop?

Answer 1

The Federalists were those who were in favor of ratifying the Constitution while the Anti-federalists were against ratification because they were against a strong central government, favoring states rights instead.
After the Constitution was ratified, the Anti-federalists evolved into the Democratic-Republican party, while the Federalists remained a party until around 1824 when they transitioned to the Whig party, and eventually the Republican party (not the Republican party as it is today though.)

Source:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080127173253AApaVMQ