Republicans And Political Parties: Federalists Vs. Democratic-Republicans

In the onset of Jefferson's presidency Jeffersonian Republicans were characterized as strict interpreters of the Constitution. Jeffersonian Republicans strictly believed and obeyed what was clearly written in the Constitution. This characterization proved to be inaccurate later throughout Jefferson's presidency as he begins to lean toward a loose interpretation. Jefferson realized that government should be flexible and change with time, based on what best suits the nation (Doc. G). The Federalists lean toward a strict interpretation of the Constitution during Madison's presidency. Originally the Federalists were very lenient with respect to the federal Constitution. This characterization was also inaccurate during the presidencies of Jefferson and Madison. The Federalist party showed strict constructionist views when they required congress ⅔ in order to pass things such as admissions of states and declarations of war (Doc. E). In regards to the construction of roads and canals, Madison acts based on what is written in the Constitution (Doc. H). Madison's vetoing of the Internal Improvement Bill in 1817 showed that he believed that Internal Improvement by the federal government was unconstitutional. This is something that he would not have done originally based on his original ideals and federalists

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

A political party is a group of people who seek to win elections and hold public office in order to shape government policy and programs. George Washington warned the nation against creating political parties in his famous “Farewell Address”. He feared political parties would divide the country and weaken support of the Constitution (Doc 4). The first major political parties, the Federalists and the Republicans, were created during the term of President George Washington. Despite President Washington’s warning, the rise of the two political parties, in the years after his term was inevitable. The Federalists were in favor of a strong central government, while the anti-federalists opposed most their ideas. Over time, the gradual development

In 1787, the delegates at the continental congress were all federalists. However, at the end of John Adams’ role as president, two separate political parties with different interpretations of the constitution developed: The Democratic-Republicans (also known as the Jeffersonian-Republicans) and the federalists. During the 1800s, there were two main political parties: the Jeffersonian Republicans and the Federalists. The Jeffersonian Republicans followed a strict interpretation of the constitution and the federalists followed a loose interpretation. However, during the presidencies of James Madison and Thomas Jefferson, the two Parties abandoned their original beliefs. The Federalists, including Madison, started to interpret the constitution loosely and the Republicans, who followed Thomas Jefferson, interpreted the constitution strictly. Both changed their political positions

Republicans was strongly against the friendship of Great Britain. Republicans was feared with Hamilton policies they thing that it will give national government to much power. Republicans thought was that economy based on Artisans and agriculture would be better foundation of government, The Republicans was in favor of France because of American Revolution. Republicans believed that Britain has strong commercial strength which might restrict the growth of United States economy.

On the other hand Democratic-Republicans views were very different unlike the Federalist they believed informed citizens could make logical decisions for themselves and our country.Federalists believed in the goodness and wisdom of common people and thought they had just as much a opportunity as the wealthy.

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

On the other hand, as the country advanced and refined, it became known that the fixed views of the two political parties needed to be reasonable if the nation were to expand. Jefferson made the first action toward reconciliation and moderation of his political outlook with the Federalists by contributing a sense of peace in his First Inaugural Address (Doc. 3). Jefferson declared, “We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists,” signifying Americans are all in this society together and collectively make the world outstanding. Jefferson and his party had to further control their thinking when the chance to purchase the Louisiana Territory from France appeared in 1803 (Doc. 4). There was a lack of preparation in the Constitution for a president to buy more territory. However, the opportunity may have not continued to be accessible for a long amount of time, and Jefferson changed his own “strict construction” aspects and doubled the size of the United States.

The Federalist party, including Hamilton, supported the British more than the French. Federalists wanted to stay neutral in the French Revolution.

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.

Though both Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson served as members of President Washington’s cabinet, the two held very different views on the newly founded U.S. government, interpretation of its constitution, and the role of the “masses” in that government. These conflicting views would develop in two political parties, the Federalists led by Hamilton and the Democratic-Republicans led by Jefferson. Although both political parties presented enticing aspects, Hamilton’s views were much more reasonable and fruitful when compared Jefferson’s views; idealistic and too strict in reference to the constitution.

“The framers of the constitution envisioned a one-party state in which partisan distinctions would be muted by patriotism and public virtue.” (Faragher, et. al, page 211) However, even in our early days of nationhood, different factions of beliefs would ensue. As Founding Fathers of our nation, both Hamilton and Madison played large roles in the evolution of political parties and many of the foundations of these parties still remain today.

After America broke away from England national unity in the United States has been threatened by many problems, economic, social, and political developments. Federalist and Jeffersonians had different views of how the government should be run. The Jeffersonian Republicans believed in strong state governments with a weak central government, and a strict interpretation of the Constitution while the Federalists saw it differently. Federalist emphasized a powerful central government with weaker state governments and a loose interpretation of the Constitution. These two factions would soon form the two political parties which are still in effect today.

The Federalist Party, founded by Alexander Hamilton, first started during the ratification of the Constitution. This party's view on human nature shaped many of their other beliefs. “Every man ought to be supposed a scoundrel and to have no other goal in all his actions, but private interest,” Hamilton strongly stated. Most Federalists shared Hamilton’s view that people were basically selfish and out for themselves. Since they believed this, they thought the government should be run by educated, wealthy, and public-spirited men. To them, national power and unity was more essential to nation’s success than the rights of the states.

In 1790, the United States had just recently broke free from the British crown and united under the cause of liberty. But in spite of this, Americans saw political rifts brought about by the rise of political parties. The rise of political parties in 1790 was caused by general distrust, disagreements on policies, and constitutional disagreements between the Federalist and Democratic-Republican parties, which were led by Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, respectively.