US History

Fort Burrows

9.3 -- Political Parties Emerge During the 1790s, two republic parties were formed: the Federalists and the Republicans.

Vocabulary:

unconstitutional - not allowed under the Constitution

Democratic Republican - supporter of Thomas Jefferson, who favored a decentralized government

Federalist - supporter of the Constitution, who favored a strong federal or national government

unconstitutional - not allowed under the Constitution

Democratic Republican - supporter of Thomas Jefferson/Madison, who favored a decentralized gov’t

Federalist - supporter of the Constitution and Hamilton/Adams, who favored a strong federal or national government

oppression – the exercise of authority or power in a burdensome, cruel, or unjust manner

framer – to put together, plan, or form such as a constitution, or system of order

levy – an imposing or collecting, as of a tax, by authority or force

confound – to throw into confusion or disorder

regulate – to control or direct by a rule, principle, method

consolidate - to bring together (separate parts) into a single or unified whole; unite; combine

visceral -

When GW took office in 1789, the United States had no political parties. In fact, most American leaders disliked even the idea of parties.

“ If I could not go to heaven but with a party, I would not go at all,”

said Thomas Jefferson. Early on, though, political disagreements divided Americans.

“ Men who have been friends all their lives cross streets to avoid meeting and turn their heads another way, lest they should be obliged to touch their hats.” Thomas Jefferson

Before Washington left office in 1797, two rival political parties had emerged to compete for power.

Did the development of political parties go against the motto of the new nation,

E pluribus Unum (“Out of many, one”) ?

______

A Distrust of Political Parties

u Americans had reasons to distrust political parties

u They had seen how factions worked in Britain often plotting to win gov’t favors

and bribes – personal gain over public good

u Americans saw political parties as a threat to national unity

u GW warned that parties would lead to “jealousies and false alarms”

u Despite the warning, factions grew up around two Cabinet members

u Hamilton and Jefferson differed in backgrounds, looks, personality and politics!

Alexander Hamilton / Thomas Jefferson
u born in the West Indies
u worked his way up from poverty
u dressed in fine clothes
u spoke forcefully
u energetic, brilliant and restless
u enjoyed political debate / u born in Edge Hill, Virginia
u tall and lanky
u wealthy Virginia planter
u dressed informally
u spoke informally

Differing Views

s Hamilton and Jefferson quarreled about many issues that were rooted in their different views about what was best for the nation

s Manufacturing or Farming (Economic Policy)

Hamilton / Jefferson
Encouraged manufacturing and trade / Thought farmers, not merchants, were backbone of the new nation
Wanted the US to model itself on Britain / Wrote that “Cultivators of the Earth were the most valuable citizens”
Favored growth of cities and merchant class / Feared a manufacturing economy would corrupt the US by concentrating power in the hands of a small group of wealthy Americans

a Federal or State Power

Hamilton / Jefferson
Wanted federal gov’t to have greater power than the state gov’ts / Wanted a small federal gov’t to protect individual freedom
Argued that strong federal gov’t was needed to increase commerce and restrain mob violence like Whiskey Rebellion / Feared that strong federal gov’t might take over powers that Constitution gave the states

u Strict or Loose Interpretation of the Constitution

Hamilton / Jefferson
Preferred a loose interpretation of the Constitution / Preferred a strict interpretation of the Constitution
Constitution gave Congress the power to make all laws “necessary and proper” to carry out its duties / Constitution did not give Congress the power to create a Bank – any power not specifically given to the federal gov’t belonged to the states
Argued that the Bank was necessary for the gov’t to collect taxes and pay its bills / Worried that a National Bank would give too much power to wealthy investors, who would help run it, and to the gov’t
Opposed the law setting up the bank – claimed it was unconstitutional

S Britain or France (Foreign Policy)

Hamilton / Jefferson
Wanted close ties with Britain, a major trading partner / Favored France, the first ally of the US
FEDERALISTS / REPUBLICANS
Led by Hamilton / Led by Jefferson
Wealthy and educated should lead nation / People should have political power
Strong central gov’t / Strong state gov’ts
Manufacturing, shipping and trading / Agriculture
Loose interpretation of Constitution / Strict interpretation of Constitution
Pro-British / Pro-French
National Bank / National Bank unconstitutional
Protective tariff / No protective tariff

Development of Political Parties

u Hamilton and Jefferson clashed in private

s Congress started passing many of Hamilton’s programs

a Jefferson and Madison decided to organize supporters of their views

u In 1791, they went to NY to meet with leading NY politicians like Governor George Clinton and Aaron Burr

s Asked for them to convince New Yorkers to vote for Jefferson’s supporters

a Republican or Federalists

u Jefferson’s supporters were called Democratic Republicans (Republicans)

s Included small farmers, artisans and wealthy planters

a Hamilton’s supporters were called Federalists

u Included merchants and manufacturers from Boston and NY and some

southern planters

¿¿ Why did different political parties develop ?

______

______.

u Newspapers Take Sides

u Number of newspapers doubled in 1700’s

s As party rivalry grew, newspapers took sides

a Gazette of the US backed Hamilton; National Gazette backed Jefferson

u Newspapers influenced public opinion and articles mixed rumor and opinion

with facts

s Emotional attacks and counterattacks fanned the flames of party rivalry

Election of 1796

u Political parties played a large role in the election of GW’s successor

s Republicans backed Jefferson for President and Aaron Burr for VP

a Federalists backed John Adams for President and Thomas Pinckney for VP

u Election of 1796 had an unexpected outcome

s Under the Constitution, the person with the most electoral votes became President

a The candidate with the next highest total was made VP

u John Adams, a Federalist, won office as President and Thomas Jefferson,

Republican, came in second to win VP

s Having the President and VP from opposing parties increased political tensions

a John Adams took office but events soon deepened the distrust between him and

Jefferson

Electoral Votes

Federalists Adams – 71 Pinckney – 59

Republicans Jefferson – 68 Burr – 30

1. Why did many Americans distrust the idea of political parties ?

a.______

______.

b. ______

______.

2. How did the views of Hamilton and Jefferson differ ?

Hamilton - ______

______.

Jefferson – ______

______.

3. Why did political parties develop ?

______

______.

4. How did the election of 1796 increase political tensions ?

______.

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