Political Parties Emerge

Have you ever had to choose a side in a discussion? Do you have an opinion

on a certain topic/why?

Fractions

• Political Parties. (Like today we have the Democrats and Republicans)

• Washington warned against political parties.• Americans also saw political parties as a threat

to national unity.

Manufacturing or Farming

Hamilton• Model itself on Britain.• Encourage manufacturing

and trade• Favored cities and merchant

class

Jefferson• Thought farmers were the

backbone of America• “Cultivators of the earth are

the most valuable citizens”• Feared a manufacturing

economy would corrupt the US by concentrating power in the hands of a small group of wealthy Americans

Federal or State Power

Hamilton• Strong Federal Government• Federal Government was

needed because of events like the Whiskey Rebellion

Jefferson• Strong State Government• Wanted a federal

government to only protect individual freedoms.

• He feared a Federal government might take over powers that the Constitution gave to the states

Strict or Loose Interpretation of the Constitution

Hamilton• Favored a National Bank

and wealthy investors• Argued the constitution

gave congress the right to make laws necessary and proper to carry out its duties.

• Bank was necessary for the government to collect taxes and pay bills

Jefferson• Against a formation of the

National Bank.• Feared Rich would control

government• Claimed the bank was

Unconstitutional• Nowhere did the

Constitution give Congress the power to create a bank

Britain or France

Hamilton• Hamilton wanted close ties

with Britain• Britain would be a major

trading partner

Jefferson• Favored France• France was the First ally of

the United States

Two Political Parties Emerge- caused by arguments over Hamilton’s financial

plan and how Jefferson and Hamilton viewed America’s future

result=Federalists vs Democratic Republicans – 1st

political parties

Federalists Democratic Republicans (AntiFederalists) Led by Hamilton

- - America of large cities & industry- - Government led by wealthy & well educated- - Wanted strong federal government **wanted loose construction of the Constitution – federal government has all the powers needed to carry out its duties (elastic clause) – makes strong federal government

Led by Jefferson - America of small towns and farms- - Common people should be part of government- - Stronger state government, weaker federal government **wanted strict Constitution – federal government has only those powers directly listed in the Constitution (separation of power / checks & balances / federalism) – weakens the federal government

2nd President John Adams - elected 2nd President- 1797- member of the Federalist Party- Under the Constitution the person with the most

electoral votes became President. John Adams a Federalist, won office as President. The leader of the Republicans, Jefferson, came in second and became vice President.

Exit ticket

• Why are political parties both a good and bad thing for America?

• Why is it a bad thing to have the vice president be from the opposing party?