Hamilton And Jefferson: The Two Political Parties
Hamilton and Jefferson- The Two Parties Democrats and Republicans argue over many subjects, their debates are often the highlight of the political year. However, political parties such as these were not always around; at the founding of our government political parties were thought to separate people and promote selfishness. Despite it never being their intention, Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson are credited with creating the first political parties. On account of their varying views on many subjects, Hamilton is considered a Federalist and Jefferson is known as a Democratic-Republican or a Jeffersonian. According to historians, the Federal party and Democratic-Republican are considered the two first political parties in America.
Hamilton, George Washington’s Secretary of Treasury, is considered the leader of the Federalists whereas Jefferson led the Democratic-Republicans. Main traits of the Federal party included beliefs that the federal government should be stronger than the states, the constitution should have a loose interpretation, and that the United States should have a national bank. Most of this party’s supporters hailed from the north as merchants, businessmen, and residents of large cities. Democratic-Republicans believed in giving the states power, sticking to a strict constitution, and opposed the National Bank because of power abuse. Democratic-Republicans usually hailed from the southern states as farmers or landowners. Leaders of the parties Hamilton and Jefferson disagreed on many subjects, such as foreign policy and Alien and Sedition Acts. Hamilton supported the Alien and
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Sedition acts, which limited Federalists, and became pro-British during the French Revolution. Jefferson was against the Alien and Sedition Acts and supported the French. In the 1796 election, the election boiled down to Democratic-Republican candidates Jefferson, Adams, and Federalist candidate Pinckney. Hamilton was not pleased with the nominations of Democratic-Republicans, so much so that he construed schemes for the Federalist candidate Pinckney to win. However, his efforts failed and Adams won with Jefferson as Vice President. Hamilton and Jefferson disagreed on so many subjects that it created two political parties. In the end, nobody originally wanted political parties because they promoted greed and selfishness. However, too many subjects were disagreed upon and the main subject of the split was over the strength of the Federal government. Hamilton formed the Federalist party by wanting Federal power and Jefferson formed the Democratic-Republican party by wanting to limit the Federal power.
Hamilton, George Washington’s Secretary of Treasury, is considered the leader of the Federalists whereas Jefferson led the Democratic-Republicans. Main traits of the Federal party included beliefs that the federal government should be stronger than the states, the constitution should have a loose interpretation, and that the United States should have a national bank. Most of this party’s supporters hailed from the north as merchants, businessmen, and residents of large cities. Democratic-Republicans believed in giving the states power, sticking to a strict constitution, and opposed the National Bank because of power abuse. Democratic-Republicans usually hailed from the southern states as farmers or landowners. Leaders of the parties Hamilton and Jefferson disagreed on many subjects, such as foreign policy and Alien and Sedition Acts. Hamilton supported the Alien and
Stanfield 2
Sedition acts, which limited Federalists, and became pro-British during the French Revolution. Jefferson was against the Alien and Sedition Acts and supported the French. In the 1796 election, the election boiled down to Democratic-Republican candidates Jefferson, Adams, and Federalist candidate Pinckney. Hamilton was not pleased with the nominations of Democratic-Republicans, so much so that he construed schemes for the Federalist candidate Pinckney to win. However, his efforts failed and Adams won with Jefferson as Vice President. Hamilton and Jefferson disagreed on so many subjects that it created two political parties. In the end, nobody originally wanted political parties because they promoted greed and selfishness. However, too many subjects were disagreed upon and the main subject of the split was over the strength of the Federal government. Hamilton formed the Federalist party by wanting Federal power and Jefferson formed the Democratic-Republican party by wanting to limit the Federal power.