Political Parties

What drives most people’s view of Government?

Political Parties• Washington had warned against political

parties, common Americans had avoided it like a king, not in Constitution

• Differing philosophies of Government, Conflicting interpretations of Constitution, Differing economic and regional interests, foreign affairs

• Federalists- 1st supported ratification, supported Washington administration, strong federal gov’t, admired England and distrusted France, favored banking and shipping interests, strong in New Eng. And the South, led by Alexander Hamilton

• Democratic Republicans started when Freneau published National Gazette w/ help from Thomas Jefferson, wanted to limit Government power, feared endangered liberties, supported French, condemned pro-British policy, small farmers and city workers supported

View of Constitution and Rule• Basis of Governments power is a big difference

between Federalists and Democratic Republicans• Hamilton and Federalist believed in implied powers

not forbidden from Constitution, justified idea of National Bank

• Jefferson and Madison believed in a strict interpretation of the Constitution, accepted implied power in limited stance, only absolutely necessary

• Divided over role people should play in gov’t: Federalists believed the Representatives were elected and should make the decisions, educated men of property would protect everyone’s rights, ordinary people swayed by crowds

• Dem. Rep. feared a strong Central gov’t controlled by a few, believed ordinary people needed to be involved in gov’t

• Jefferson so upset with Washington and Hamilton he resigned as Sec. of State, Hamilton then resigned

Election of 1796• 1st election w/ political parties, held

caucuses, members of Congress and political parties chose candidates

• Federalists chose John Adams, Washington’s VP and Charles Pinckney

• De,-Rep. chose Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr

• Adams and Jefferson became rivals from being friends, Adams 71 electoral votes carrying New Eng., Jefferson 68 electoral votes carrying the South

• Constitution said Highest and runner up were President and VP, therefore a Federalist Pres. And Dem-Rep. VP