First Two Party System of Politics Dr. East 10/10/2013

Evolution from Federalists v. Anti-Federalists 1rst President – Washington Hamilton and Jefferson worked for Washington They had ideological differences

Federalists Lead by Hamilton – John Jay, Washington and, at the time of drafting the Constitution, Madison (though he would clash with Hamilton and change is mind later) At the time, this group was considered to be a more “conservative” approach to government – We do not mean conservative in a modern sense – We mean, conservative in preservative sense as they wanted to preserve the union and control chaos…potentially even at the expense of some ind. or state liberties … – Felt like a strong central gov. would preserve national stability thus making a safe place and improving the public good They tended to favor stronger central gov., had been for ratification of the new Constitution – They are like modern day Democrats in their support for strong central gov. – Today they would likely have been for NSA wire taps, etc. These were people that felt like the Articles were way to weak to hold a nation together against warfare, etc.

Liberal-Democratic Republicans Evolved from Anti-federalist position in creation of Constitution it’s early leaders were weary of strong federal government and concerned that a too strong government would limit individual and states’ rights – Like modern day Republicans in their consistent advocacy of localized states’ rights and governments vs. national/central government and too much control by them Led by Thomas Jefferson… but he eventually convinced Madison to support this group’s agenda too – Madison disagreed with Hamilton’s strong federalist take on central government finances because he felt that they favored wealthy northern elite and not states Beliefs – tolerance, freedom, and independent action … with focus on stronger state governments and personal liberties

First Presidents and Parties 1 – George Washington – kind of a leader for Federalist party, but he mostly tried to stay away from party politics 2 - John Adams – Federalist party all the way 3 – Thomas Jefferson – Lib. Demo. Repubs. – First transition to new party in charge of Executive Branch, peaceful transition 4 – James Madison – now a leader for Lib. Demo. Repubs. Because he now worried about state’s rights

Compromises between 2 Parties in writing Constitution Compromises that satisfied Lib. Demo. Reps – – New Constitution retained local control over selecting a Senate (Federalists had wanted HOR to vote these guys in) – New Constitution allowed local representatives (electors) to select president based on popular citizen vote (ind. Vote) – New Constitution said that all powers not listed as federal powers were given to states… that would wind up being so many more – Check of strong Senate power by creation of House of Representatives, whose members represented smaller numbers of people … more localized representation – Check of Exec. Power by having Congress – Compromise on addition of Bill of Rights as immediate amendments to Constitution so that ratification would happen – 3/5ths compromise that satisfied slave holding states… states’ rights advocates liked this

Compromises that satisfied the Federalists – More central powers to tax – More central powers to control interstate trade – More central powers over military

Free Response Essay Question The two party system became entrenched in the early years of the United States (a) Identify the two major approaches to government and one label used identify both these groups (b) Explain how this early split into two political camps shaped any two of the compromises that were reached during the writing of the Constitution.