The Federalist Party
The Federalist Party was one of the United States’ first political parties. This party had some notable
figures like John Adams and George Washington. The party itself was founded by Alexander Hamilton.
Hamilton was born in the Caribbean island of Nevis located near St. Kitts. He was a natural scholar who was
running a profitable business by the age of 15. In 1772, when he was 18 years old, a hurricane roared down
upon the Caribbean. Hamilton wrote an article for the local newspaper about the storm that received rave
reviews. A collection was started for him to attend school in New York. He graduated from Columbia College
with a law degree. During the Revolutionary War, Washington heard of Hamilton’s multi-faceted abilities and
appointed him as his top assistant. Later, Hamilton represented New York in the Constitutional Convention
and even helped ratify the document by authoring the famed Federalist Papers. Hamilton died after a
political rival, who was also Vice President, challenged him to a duel. The resulting bullet wound caused him
to die thirty one hours later.
Hamilton’s active role in politics made him a clear choice when Washington established his group of
advisors. While serving in the first presidential cabinet, ideas about the government were freely discussed. It
became clear to everyone involved that his ideas clashed with Thomas Jefferson’s. When news reached the
cabinet that Jefferson established a small following of like-minded politicians, Hamilton gathered his own
company of men for the purpose of counteracting Jefferson’s move. Hamilton’s solid belief in federalism for
America led to the party being named the Federalists.
As Hamilton grew up in the Caribbean ports, he familiarized himself with the businesses that went
along with shipping and trading. This familiarity served him well when he moved to the port city of New York.
Hamilton passionately believed that business, trading, shipping, and industrialization was the key to America’s
future. Federalists wanted to insure a capitalistic society intent on the acquisition of wealth for its people.
Since their focus was industry and shipping, Federalists understood the importance of the standardization of
port rules, procedures and taxes. If not, other countries would view the United States as a confusing jigsaw
puzzle that would give them reason to hesitate. Federalists also pursued a stronger national government
because they knew that it created a better defense against foreign invaders. Thirteen states provide a much
strong defense against enemies than just one state. The same philosophy applied to the economy. One
centralized government could better provide resources and provide for a stronger economy for all. This was
also the philosophy Hamilton and other federalists held in the notion that a national bank was in the country’s
best interest. Wealthy individuals investing in this new national bank would encourage economic growth
everywhere.
A British alliance after America just fought a war with them seemed to be a risky position to take.
However, Federalists were worried about the radical nature and violence of the French Revolution and instead
looked to a more stable county. After all, Britain had been operating under a constitution for centuries. They
also knew that the British were the wealthiest nation in the world and it seemed logical to establish a trading
relationship with them. The Federalists were looking to cash in on the wealth of the British.
At this time, education was a luxury usually left for the wealthy. Federalists supported a system in
which the wealthier ran for office because it ensured that the democracy was led by the best and brightest
minds. They believed that lower class men would be too interested in keeping their position of power and be
too dependent on the opinions of the people. A wealthier man could act more autonomously, and thus make
the best decisions, even if they were not necessarily the most popular. Federalists also looked at the
constitution as a general guideline for government, specifying operational procedures. This loose
interpretation would allow for the structure of the government to be followed, but not for it to dictate
procedures. To Federalists, this provided a more realistic way of operating the government.
Much to the displeasure of Alexander Hamilton, John Adams ran for president under the Federalist
Party in 1796. As a New Englander, Adams spoke to the religious values of the north. He believed in the
importance of shipping and commerce. Therefore, Federalists captured votes in the northern states and
coastal areas near port towns and cities. Hamilton’s party is remembered for their views on a sense of
national cohesiveness and pride.
The Democratic-Republican Party
The Democratic-Republican Party was one of the United States’ first political parties. Its founding
member was one of America’s most honored and respected men, Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson was born in
Virginia in 1743 in a rural farming region. At the age of 17, Jefferson attended William and Mary College
where he studied history, science, mathematics, and foreign languages. Eventually he graduated with a law
degree. He returned home to farm his inherited property which included 10,000 acres and 135 slaves. As a
member of the Second Continental Congress, he was selected to write the Declaration of Independence
because of his superior writing skills. Eventually, his fame led him to be the third president for which he is
remembered for buying the territory known as Louisiana. He died on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the
Declaration of independence.
Jefferson gained national fame from his writing of the Declaration, and it made him a clear choice
when Washington established his group of advisors. While serving in the first presidential cabinet, ideas about
the day-to-day operations of government were frequently discussed. It became clear to everyone in the
cabinet that Jefferson’s ideas starkly contrasted those of Alexander Hamilton. Jefferson organized people of
similar political beliefs in an effort to be more heard in the capital. The group saw their ideals as more closely
aligned to the basic teachings of a democratic republic, so they became known as the Democratic-Republican
Party.
Jefferson’s upbringing in rural Virginia, on both small farms and large plantations, greatly influenced
what he thought was the correct path for America. He felt that the soul of American democracy and policy
rested with the farmer. The political party he founded had the same beliefs. Its members felt that the United
States should stay a nation of farmers and expand its economy for agricultural purposes. The DemocraticRepublicans felt that a farmers’ main concern would rest on local issues. They feared that a small farmers’
voice would get lost in the crowd of a national congress. In state legislatures, their needs and concerns would
be heard and acted upon. Therefore, a central part of the party’s platform centered around states’ rights and
governmental powers resting in the states. For them, this was the only way to a healthy democracy. Much like
state governments, Jefferson’s Democratic-Republicans believed in state banks over a national one. They
feared that a federal or national bank would lead to corruption and place too much power in the hands a few
wealthy individuals. Instead Democratic-Republicans felt that state banks would better protect the people
financially.
Democratic-Republicans felt strong about the United States’ foreign connections. France was the
nation that they supported bonding with. They had strong feelings about the relationship that was formed as
allies during the Revolutionary War. They argued that the US owed its existence to the French and the role
they played in the assisting the colonies during the revolutionary war. They we excited about the new prodemocracy that was emerging in the French Revolution and urged the necessity to help. Jefferson and others
opposed a relationship with Great Britain. They felt that the US would become too dependent, or even
dominated economically by the British due to their status as a world power.
This political party thought that nothing would mimic the British way of life more than if America built
a society where wealthy aristocrats ran the government. They feared that wealthy rulers would be too out of
touch with everyday Americans. They felt that the new government should be run by the common man. This,
according to Democratic-Republicans would provide a more solid foundation for democracy. They would be
less apt to trample on the rights of individuals, and most importantly, they would act in the interest of the
people. They also supported a strict interpretation of the constitution. Jefferson and others felt that nothing
would lead to tyranny faster then bending the rules of the constitution in any circumstance.
Jefferson’s upbringing in the south led him to adhere to a southern way of life. As a result, people who
supported his party the most tended to be southerners as well. Farms were quickly spreading west to the
newly settled Appalachian areas of Kentucky and Tennessee and so was the message of the DemocraticRepublican Party. Overwhelmingly, southern states voted for Jefferson in both the election of 1796 and 1800.
Jefferson’s party provided a voice of for the common man.