8.4: Federalists and Jeffersonian Republicans

A. The Rise of Political Parties 1. During the debate over Jay’s Treaty, shifting coalitions began to polarize into political factions. 2. Hamilton’s supporters claimed the title “Federalist.” 3. Thomas Jefferson’s supporters called themselves “Republicans.” 4. These coalitions shaped the election of 1796, which John Adams narrowly won. 5. Jefferson, the opposition’s candidate, became vice president.

B. The Adams Presidency 1. Relations with France deteriorated after Jay’s Treaty. 2. When France began seizing American shipping, the nation was on the brink of war. The X, Y, Z Affair made Adams’s popularity soar.

C. The Alien and Sedition Acts 1. The Federalists pushed through the Alien and Sedition Acts that: a. severely limited freedoms of speech and of the press; and a. severely limited freedoms of speech and of the press; and b. threatened the liberty of foreigners. b. threatened the liberty of foreigners. 2. Republicans organized as an opposition party. 3. Federalists saw opposition to the administration as opposition to the state and prosecuted leading Republican newspaper editors. 4. Jefferson and Madison drafted the Virginia and Kentucky Resolves that threatened to nullify the Alien and Sedition Acts.

D. The Revolution of Map: The Election of 1800 Map: The Election of 1800 Map: The Election of Adams bid for re-election was weakened by: a. Hamilton’s dispute with Adams; and b. the Federalists becoming identified with oppressive war-mongering. 3. In the election of 1800, the Federalists waged a defensive struggle calling for strong central government and good order. 4. By controlling the South and the West, Jefferson won the election. 5. *Transferring of power done peacefully.

E. Democratic Political Culture 1. The rise of partisan politics greatly increased popular participation. 2. American politics became more competitive and democratic. 3. Popular celebrations became common and suffrage increased.