Lesson 2: The Origin of Political Parties Flashcards
Democratic Republican Definition
a member of the political party founded by Thomas Jefferson
Factions Definition
a party, or an opposing group within a party
Federalist Definition
a member of the party led by Alexander Hamilton that favored a strong federal government
Unconstitutional Definition
not permitted by the Constitution
What was the view on parties during the presidency of George Washington?
When George Washington took office in 1789, the United States had no political parties. In fact, most American leaders disliked even the idea of parties.
How did political parties divide people? What did Washington warn against in his farewell speech?
Early on, though, political disagreements divided Americans. “Men who have been [friends] all their lives,” noted Jefferson, “cross streets to avoid meeting, and turn their heads another way, lest they should be obliged to touch their hats.” Before Washington left office in 1797, two rival political parties had emerged to compete for power. Americans also saw political parties as a threat to national unity. They agreed with George Washington, who warned Americans that parties would lead to “jealousies and false alarms.”
What are some conflicting views between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson? What were their backgrounds?
Despite the President’s warning, factions grew up around two members of his Cabinet, Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson. The two men differed in background and in politics. Born in the West Indies, Hamilton had worked his way up from poverty. Hamilton believed that the wealthy and educated should control the government. He believed that supporting business and trade was the best way to improve the nation’s economy. Hamilton also favored Britain over France. Unlike Hamilton, Jefferson came from a wealthy family of Virginia planters. He owned large plantations and enslaved African Americans. Despite his wealth, Jefferson believed that the government should represent ordinary white people, not just the wealthy and educated. Jefferson supported policies that favored small farmers rather than businessmen. Jefferson favored France over Britain.
What was the source of Hamilton’s and Jefferson’s disagreements and quarrels?
The disagreements between Hamilton and Jefferson were not just differences of opinion. Their quarrels were rooted in their different views about what was best for the new nation.
What were Alexander Hamilton’s and Thomas Jefferson’s conflicting views on the foundations of the American economy?
The two leaders differed on economic policy. Hamilton wanted the United States to model itself on Britain. The government, he thought, should encourage manufacturing and trade. He also favored the growth of cities and the merchant class. Jefferson thought that farmers, rather than merchants, were the backbone of the new nation. “Cultivators of the earth,” he wrote, “are the most valuable citizens.” He feared that a manufacturing economy would corrupt the United States by concentrating power in the hands of a small group of wealthy Americans.
What were Alexander Hamilton’s and Thomas Jefferson’s conflicting views on federalism?
Hamilton and Jefferson also disagreed about the power of the federal government. Hamilton wanted the federal government to have greater power than state governments. A strong federal government, he argued, was needed to increase commerce. It would also be able to restrain mob violence like that of the Whiskey Rebellion. In contrast, Jefferson wanted as small a federal government as possible, in order to protect individual freedom. He feared that a strong federal government might take over powers that the Constitution gave to the states.
What were Alexander Hamilton’s and Thomas Jefferson’s conflicting views on setting up a National Bank?
Jefferson and Hamilton also clashed over the Bank of the United States. Jefferson worried that a national bank would give too much power to the government and to wealthy investors who would help run the bank. Jefferson opposed the law setting up the bank. He claimed that it was unconstitutional, or not permitted by the Constitution. Nowhere did the Constitution give Congress the power to create a Bank, he argued. For Jefferson, any power not specifically given to the federal government belonged to the states. Hamilton did not agree with Jefferson’s strict interpretation of the Constitution. He preferred a looser interpretation. The Constitution gave Congress the power to make all laws “necessary and proper” to carry out its duties. Hamilton argued that the Bank was necessary for the government to collect taxes and pay its bills.
What were Alexander Hamilton’s and Thomas Jefferson’s conflicting views on who to support (British or French)?
Finally, the two leaders disagreed over foreign policy. Hamilton wanted close ties with Britain, a major trading partner. Jefferson favored France, the first ally of the United States.
Were Hamilton’s and Jefferson’s arguments public? What did Congress do that made Thomas Jefferson and James Madison go to New York for help–enlisting the help of Governor George Clinton and Aaron Burr?
At first, Hamilton and Jefferson clashed in private. Then Congress began to pass many of Hamilton’s programs. James Madison shared many of Jefferson’s views, and the two men decided to organize supporters of their views. Jefferson and Madison moved cautiously at first. In 1791, they went to New York, telling people that they wanted to study its wildlife. In fact, Jefferson was interested in nature. Their main goal, though, was to meet with leading New York politicians such as Governor George Clinton and Aaron Burr, a fierce critic of Hamilton. Jefferson asked them to help defeat Hamilton’s program by convincing New Yorkers to vote for Jefferson’s supporters.
What were other states doing in response to Jefferson entering New York to spread his belief? What did Jefferson’s followers call themselves?
Soon, leaders in other states were organizing to support either Hamilton or Jefferson. Jefferson’s supporters called themselves Democratic Republicans, often shortened to Republicans.
Is Jefferson’s Republican Party related to ours today? In which area and social class were most Republicans in?
Today’s Republican Party is not related to Jefferson’s party. The Jeffersonian Republicans included small farmers, artisans, and some wealthy planters in the South.
