The First Political Parties Section Three

Federalists During Washington’s presidency, he received a lot of attacks from those who supported the ideas of Jefferson. (They were really attacking Hamilton who was supported by Washington.) The Federalists were led by Hamilton and Adams. They supported a stronger Federal government. Alexander Hamilton

Democratic Republicans Thomas Jefferson Jefferson and Hamilton argued about almost every issue and sides were soon being drawn. This created partisan political parties. The Republicans were led by Jefferson and Madison and supported a limited federal government.

federalists Alexander Hamilton / John Adams Rule by the wealthy / educated Implied powers of Constitution British Alliance Strong U.S. government Emphasis on manufacturing National bank Restricted trade (strong tariffs)

Democratic Republicans Thomas Jefferson / James Madison Rule by the farmers / common man Strict interpretation of Constitution French Alliance Strong State Governments Emphasis on farming State Banks Open trade (low tariffs)

Federalists & Republicans The Federalists also wanted a more representative government where people elected others to speak for them. The Republicans wanted the people to have more involvement in the government, not just a few people.

Caucus Eventually, both Jefferson and Hamilton would resign from their positions to seek other offices. In 1796, these two groups held caucuses to choose their candidate for the new election.

Election of 1796 The Federalists chose John Adams/Charles Pinckey and the Republicans chose Thomas Jefferson/Aaron Burr to run for President and Vice President. Adams won the election 71 to 68, but Jefferson was named Vice President even though they were from opposing political parties.

President John Adams Adams was originally a Founding Father and active in the creation of the United States from the beginning.

Trouble with France As president, Adams had an immediate problem with France who felt that the United States was supporting Great Britain. As a result, France began to seize U.S. ships.

Charles de Talleyrand In the XYZ Affair of 1797, French Minister Charles de Talleyrand demanded a bribe and money to France from the United States to stop the seizures. Adams was upset with this treatment and asked Congress to prepare for war.

XYZ Affair

Navy Department In 1798, the Navy Department was created and the United States Army was increased in size with Washington as commanding general.

U.S. / French Relations Hurt The United States and France had a few conflicts at sea and many Americans began to look at France as an enemy. This hurt the pro-France Republicans.

Alien & Sedition Acts As a result, the Federalists in Congress passed the Alien and Sedition Acts that targeted non-citizen immigrants living in the United States, mostly French. It also made it a crime to do anything to weaken the U.S. government, which was aimed at Republican opposition.

Alien & Sedition Acts

Virginia & Kentucky Resolutions The Republicans responded with the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions in 1798 and 1799, which claimed that the Alien and Sedition Acts were unconstitutional and that states could nullify the laws.

States Rights = Nullify

Election of 1800 In 1800, the Federalists pushed Adams to go to war with France to get patriotic feelings stirred up for the election. Adams did not declare war and instead signed a treaty with France. His party, the Federalists, split in their support for him leading to victory for the Republicans.