Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans Battle Royal Battle Royal

Party Base Made up of merchants, property owners, and workers in cities. They catered to urban areas and the wealthy upper class that would benefit from strong government. Supported by southern planters and northern farmers. They wanted a weak central government and anyone who was against federal power was a Dem/Rep

Constitution Interpretation The government should have the power to do whatever is needed to secure the constitution and the rights given to them by the constitution. They did not think the government should be limited by the constitution and that the constitution was a living document. The government should do exactly what the constitution stated. The constitution should be interpreted literally and there should be no going away from it. For example, the government does not have the power to create a bank because it was not stated in the constitution.

Funding Debts / Bank Hamilton’s plan included a clause that stated that a national bank would be created. It would make a stronger national currency and it would increase the credit of the American dollar. It would regulate currency within the United States. Also, Hamilton wanted the federal government to take up all debts and he wanted to set up taxes and tariffs to increase revenue in the new government. The Dem/Reps thought the government had no right to create a bank because it was not stated in the constitution. Also, they thought that the states rights were being taken away by the federal government assuming debts.

Whiskey/Grain Tax Created a tax on Whiskey that would indirectly tax the manufacture of whiskey. It was supported by the Federalists Did not support the tax because they thought it was an unfair tax on the farmer’s incomes. Also, they were more for the farmer class.

Protective Tariffs Hamilton proposed a Tariff so in order to increase America’s revenue and promote American industries. Feds supported this because it would help out the business class and the industries. The Democratic-Republicans thought that the tax would increase dependence on the government. They opposed the bill which protected the merchants and traders.

French Revolution The federalists wanted to continue trading with all parties in order to stimulate the economy. They wanted to stay neutral so that their strongest trading ally, Britain, would not stop trading with them. They agreed that Americans should help the French because they fought for the same ideals as we fought for and we should honor our treaty with them. Also, we should help them because they helped us in our revolution.

Jay's Treaty The Federalists thought that Jay's treaty was a good piece of legislation that efficiently removed the British from American lands. It also was a step toward American neutrality. The Democratic Republicans thought that the treaty showed that the federalists favored the British. They also thought it left Britain open to attack the France.

XYZ Affair The federalists were mad at the French for wanting them to pay a bribe and Adams was against it. This made him very popular when it was released to the public. The dem-reps were for the French and wanted to continue to support the French, but the Anti-French sentiment was very strong and the XYZ affair sealed the deal. The public did not want to pay bribes.

Alien and Sedition Acts These bills were passed to make sure the government was not being opposed and it was pushed through because many thought criticism was treason. Also, many people did not want foreign ideas into the country. They thought the acts were unconstitutional because they thought the government did not have the right to limit things. Also, they argued the sedition act was in direct violation of the first amendment.

Undeclared Naval War Adams sent people to negotiate and stop them from attacking American ships. They wanted to fight them if they had to. Democratic Republicans lost support because of the anti-French sentiment in the country.

Election of 1796 John Adams won Thomas Jefferson lost but became vice president.

Election of 1800 Split of votes and both Hamilton and Adams both lost because of non-party unity. The division of the Federalists helped and Jefferson won when a tie was broken between him and Burr in the House.