-
Period: to
Pre-Political Parties
In the beginning of the United States as a nation, there were different groups of people who had different visions of what the new government and economy should be. However, there were no parties because the people were skeptical of having parties that might divide the nation. -
Period: to
Reason for Development of Political Parties: Constitutional Convention and the Ratification of the Constitution
Federalists such as Alexander Hamilton wanted a stronger national government and supported the Constitution. Antifederalists opposed the Constitution because it shifted significant powers from the states to the federal government. -
Period: to
Reason for Development of Political Parties: Different Ideas on Government and Economy
Hamilton, being the Secretary of the Treasury for George Washington, had an economic policy of Funding and Assumption, creating a national bank, and having high protective tariffs. This policy favored industry. He also wanted a strong federal government. Jefferson, Secretary of the State, wanted a weaker central government and an economy based on agriculture. -
Period: to
The First Political Parties
A. Democratic - Republicans (Jeffersonians)
i. Pro - foreign policy
ii. Government for the people
iii. Government is best that governs least
iv. Agriculture should be backbone of economy
v. Anti - BUS (Bank of US)
B. Federalists
i. Pro-British foreign policy
ii. Believed in the government by wealthy upper class
iii. Advocated a strong central government
iv. Merchants and manufacturing should be backbone of economy
v. Pro - BUS (Bank of US) -
End of the First Party System: Fall of the Federalist Party
The Federalists, who were against the U.S. fighting in the war of 1812, met at the Hartford Convention to protest continuation of the war. Having posed the idea of New England seceding from the Union, the Federalists were looked upon by the rest of the U.S. as traitors and anti-patriotic, and were henceforth unable to regain any power. This spelled the demise of the party; the end of the First Party System.
