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Period: to
JUL 4, 1776 - MAR 3, 1820
The creation of the Federalist, and the Democratic - Republicans. The primary issue they debated was whether or not to approve of the constitution. -
Adoption of the New US Constitiution
During the formalization of the US Constitution, two distinct factions formed. One, the Federalists, were led by Alexander Hamilton in an effort to pass the Constitution, whereas Patrick Henry led the other in an effort to oppose the passage of the document. After the US Constitution was adopted, James Madison and Thomas Jefferson formed what would one day be the Democratic - Republican Party. -
Adams Defeats Jefferson
Jefferson and Madison thought that the Democratic - Republican Party would be a temporary arrangement, designed to stop Adams and the Federalist Party from siezing power. However, Adams beat out Jefferson, and Jefferson became the second vice-president of the United States. -
Election of 1800
Jefferson defeated Adams for the Presidency. This marked the first period in history when the Democratic - Republicans assumed control of the government. Though the Federalists feared that Jefferson would dismantle the Constitution, Jefferson wisely attempted to quell arguments on both sides to avoid secession. First Realignment. -
Era of the Democratic - Republicans
During this time period, Democratic - Republicans ran virtually unapposed. In the election of 1824, for example, both candidates were Democratic - Republicans. This was the manifestation of Jefferson's dream that political parties would become redundant and would soon disappear altogether. -
War of 1812
The victory in the War of 1812 is often accredited to the Democratic - Republicans as by this time, the Federalists were weakening. This led directly to the popularity of the Democratic - Republicans. -
National Republicans and Democrats
National Republican and Democratic parties. -
The Whig Party
The National Republicans regrouped and became the Whig Party. The Whig party was more united than the Democrats. -
The Republican Party
The Northern Whigs and anti-slavery Democrats joined forces to create the Republican Party. -
Roosevelt Democrats
Since 1852, a candidate from the Republican or a Democratic parties has placed either first or second in U.S. presidential elections, except for one. In that election, in 1912, Theodore Roosevelt, a popular former Republican president, ran as a “third-party” candidate, and he came in second place, losing to Woodrow Wilson. -
Period: to
Era of Democrats
The Democrats regained their momentum in the elections, and would win the for next few decades. -
Period: to
Era of Divided Government
Since 1968 both parties haven't had a a clear winning streak.