Why might merchants and manufacturers support a strong central government?

Answer: The merchants and manufacturers supported for the strong national government because they are more productive and result-oriented under a weak government. Weak and shattered governments couldn't offer any protection to merchants, and there were countries in which merchants and manufacturers were subject to having it all taken from them at any given time and often were sold themselves under such empires as Rome, the Early English Kingdoms. Strong national Governments can offer protection not only in areas of defence, but price protection (keep other countries from taking your market share)., guranteed ownship of property., a market, The Government can also pass laws that make the national government stable. Enact laws which give free interprize a chance to work, as well as offer protection to the workers who handle the labour. In short a strong national government can gurantee merchants and manufacturers a place for their business, workers to make the busines work, and a market for the business. (usually in our earlier years the very people who manned the plants and shops were also usually the only customers who made it all possible.