The Party System, Republican Vs. Federalist

In the early 19th century the two dominant political parties, the Jeffersonian Republicans and the Federalists, had many opposing beliefs. With respect to the federal constitution, the Jeffersonian Republicans were viewed as strict constructionists who were opposed to the broad and lenient constructionism of the Federalists. The Jeffersonian Republicans were supported by commoners and the middle class. In general, they favored limiting the power of the national government, they believed that farming should serve as the backbone of the economy based on agriculture, and they supported the cause of the French Revolution. Contrary to such beliefs were those of the Federalists who were supported by the wealthy and aristocrats. Federalists, who

George Washington himself wanted to avoid a party system in America. Unfortunately, even when saying this he was part of the beginning of one of the first parties in United States politics. There have been many different parties surface since the beginning of the American political system. They all have different thoughts, policies, and motivations. Each party has come and gone, some have made significant contributions and others have not. The first split, and beginning of the party system, came with the differentiation between the Federalists and the Democratic Republicans. These two parties were extremely different in thought, design, and status of people involved. This paper, will deal with

As the young colonies of America broke away from their mother country and began to grow and develop into an effective democratic nation, many changes occurred. As the democracy began to grow, two main political parties developed, the Jeffersonian Republicans and the Federalists.      Each party had different views on how the government should be run. The Jeffersonian Republicans believed in strong state governments, a weak central government, and a strict construction of the Constitution. The Federalists opted for a powerful central government with weaker state governments, and a loose interpretation of the Constitution. Throughout the years, the political parties have grown, developed, and even dispersed into

By 1817 the great American experiment was in full swing. America was developing into an effective democratic nation. However as the democracy continued to grow, two opposing political parties developed, the Jeffersonian Republicans and the Federalists. The Jeffersonian Republicans believed in strong state governments, a weak central government, and a strict interpretation of the Constitution. The Federalists saw it differently. They opted for a powerful central government with weaker state governments, and a loose interpretation of the Constitution. The seemingly solid divide between Federalist and Republican would begin to blur during the presidencies of Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. For, neither Republican president was able lead

The First Party System refers to a period between 1792 and the 1820’s when the American political system was divided into two parties. Both parties, the Federalist Party, and the Democratic-Republican Party, wanted control of the Congress, the presidency, and the states. The parties were the result of the differences between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson on how to solve various national problems such as the economic crisis that was threatening the nation at the time (Dickerson, 2004). However, the roots of these political parties and concerns emerged during the constitution ratification process. On one hand, the Federalists supported the constitution while, on the other hand, the Antifederalists (Democratic-Republican) did not support it due to key issues that had not been considered in the new constitution (rAndon HersHey & Beck, 2015).

Conflicting views and contrasting ideologies have always existed throughout the history of United States politics. Alexander Hamilton, who led Federalist Party, believed that a powerful central government was necessary while Thomas Jefferson, who led the Jeffersonian Republican Party, favored an agrarian nation with most of the power left to the states. Although Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson were similar in that they both harbored good intentions and tried to keep the best interests in mind for the future of the United States, their policies were drastically different. Without doubt, both of their contrasting ideas served a vital role in forming the government.

The origins of the Federalist and Democratic-Republican parties can be traced back to the early 1790s. Initially, the Federalists, or broad constructionists, favored the growth of federal power and a strong central government. The Federalists promulgated a loose interpretation of the Constitution, which meant that they believed that the government could do anything by the implied powers of the Constitution or that congress had the right to interpret the Constitution based on connotation. On the contrary, the Democratic-Republicans favored the protection of states’ rights and the strict containment of federal power. The Democratic-Republicans were strict constructionists and they

The election of 1800 was the first time that power was transformed from one party to another, thus enforcing the emergence of a two party system. This was ironic since the George Washington proclaimed that a party system would be more harm than

Despite the fact the founding fathers advised contrary to the establishment of political factions as the Constitution withstood the ratification process, a rift amongst men in President George Washington’s cabinet instituted the move toward the conception of political party. During the time period between 1791 and 1833, a two-party system had begun that demonstrated the philosophy of the Federalists and Democratic-Republicans. Although these two political groups were unyielding in their original ideas and beliefs, both had to change a few of their initial standpoints on numerous topics as they dealt with the truth of the government.

The United States began as a weak, newborn nation that grew into a large, self-supporting country with a governing body unique to this time period. As the government grew and the nation prospered, the rise of leaders and political figures came about and with this, conflicting principles and ideology spawned, thus creating the first of the political parties; the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans. Although the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans ideology and stances on the power of the federal government, domestic economic policies and the group of constituents they represented differed vastly, members of both parties often compromised their own beliefs for the nation’s best interest as a whole.

Due to the rivalry among Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson who was against all attempts that were being made by Alexander Hamilton, to strengthen the federal government through National Commerce, the America’s first parties was created (Patterson, 2013, p. 191). However, the evolution of the political parties began when Alexander Hamilton came up with ideas that he felt would advance his party by organizing followers to participate in the Federalist Party (Patterson, 2013, p. 191). Hamilton acquired the name from the party which organized the ratification of the U.S. Constitution (Patterson, 2013, p. 191). Nonetheless, Thomas Jefferson reacted to Hamilton by creating the Democratic-Republican Party (Patterson, 2013, p. 191). Also, in

The two-party system is said to promote governmental stability because a single party can win a majority of political offices and, with less bickering between differing and partisan legislators, govern more efficiently. In a multiparty country, on the other hand, the formation of a government depends on the maintenance of a coalition of parties with enough total strength to form a political majority. The weakness of the ties that bind the coalition may threaten the continuance of a cabinet in power. The stability shown by the government of the United States has not been entirely due to its party system, it has been argued, but has been promoted also by the fixed tenure and strong constitutional position of the president, as well as checks and balances built into the constitution to prevent one branch of federal government from becoming too powerful.

During the 1820s to 1840s the United States were still in confusion of what type of government should the nation have. Many believed in the one party system but, other believed that two parties would benefit the U.S better. The idea of a two party system was caused after the election in 1824. John Quincy Adams was voted into presidency, with him and Henry Clay part of the National Republican Party and then later called the Whig Party. Though, Andrew Jackson became part of the Democratic Party which caused tension between the men. With the divide in the government it also caused segregation between the people which will cause economic issues.

The leaders separated themselves into two parties, the Federalism and the Republicanism. The Federalism provides for a powerful federal government. Their philosophy was "giving up on the public's ability to live selflessly, political actors [federalists] promulgated in its place the need for selfless leaders to carry out the common good."[44] The Federalists believed "democracy would lead to self-interest, license, and the eventual dissolution of the Union"[45] In contrast, Republicans following the philosophy of the founding fathers continued to advocate the extending of autonomy to the communities. During this transitional era, "Republicans accuse Federalist of tyranny and Federalists accusing Republicans of unwittingly perpetrating anarchy."[44] Finally, "by mid-century, communalism was hardly proffered as viable social option by the American intelligentsia."[46]

The presidential election in 1796 has to different political parties which were the Federalist and Republican. These two were the first political parties in the United States. The Federalists have the belief that the key to achieving America’s independence was to establish a strong central government. Policies implemented under the administration of George Washington mirrored the political party’s belief of a powerful central government. Alexander Hamilton, who was an adviser for George Washington and also one of the people who began the publication of the Federalist papers (contains articles favoring the ratification of the Constitution, led the Federalist Party.