9.3 Political Parties Emerge

US History Fort Burrows 9.3 -- Political Parties Emerge READ pgs 287 – 290 Main Idea: During the 1790s, two republic parties were formed: the Federalists and the Republicans.

Vocabulary:

faction - opposing group within a party unconstitutional - not allowed under the Constitution Democratic Republican - supporter of Thomas Jefferson, who favored a decentralized government Federalist - supporter of the Constitution and Hamilton, who favored a strong federal or national government

Setting the Scene: When GW took office in 1789, the United States had no political parties. In fact, most American leaders disliked even the idea of parties. “ If I could not go to heaven but with a party, I would not go at all,” said Thomas Jefferson. Early on, though, political disagreements divided Americans. “ Men who have been friends all their lives cross streets to avoid meeting and turn their heads another way, lest they should be obliged to touch their hats.” Thomas Jefferson Before Washington left office in 1797, two rival political parties had emerged to compete for power.

Did the development of political parties go against the motto of the new nation, E pluribus Unum (“Out of many, one”) ? ______A Distrust of Political Parties u Americans had reasons to distrust political parties u They had seen how factions worked in Britain often plotting to win gov’t favors and bribes – personal gain over public good u Americans saw political parties as a threat to national unity u GW warned that parties would lead to “jealousies and false alarms” u Despite the warning, factions grew up around two Cabinet members u Hamilton and Jefferson differed in backgrounds, looks, personality and politics!

1 of 9.3 Printer Copy US History Fort Burrows Alexander Hamilton Thomas Jefferson u born in the West Indies u born in Edge Hill, Virginia u worked his way up from poverty u tall and lanky u dressed in fine clothes u wealthy Virginia planter u spoke forcefully u dressed informally u energetic, brilliant and restless u spoke informally u enjoyed political debate

Differing Views s Hamilton and Jefferson quarreled about many issues that were rooted in their different views about what was best for the nation s Manufacturing or Farming (Economic Policy) Hamilton Jefferson Encouraged manufacturing and trade Thought farmers, not merchants, were backbone of the new nation Wanted the US to model itself on Wrote that “Cultivators of the Earth were the Britain most valuable citizens” Favored growth of cities and Feared a manufacturing economy would merchant class corrupt the US by concentrating power in the hands of a small group of wealthy Americans a Federal or State Power Hamilton Jefferson Wanted federal gov’t to have greater power Wanted a small federal gov’t to protect than the state gov’ts individual freedom Argued that strong federal gov’t was needed Feared that strong federal gov’t might to increase commerce and restrain mob take over powers that Constitution gave violence like Whiskey Rebellion the states u Strict or Loose Interpretation of the Constitution Hamilton Jefferson Preferred a loose interpretation of Preferred a strict interpretation of the the Constitution Constitution Constitution gave Congress the Constitution did not give Congress the power power to make all laws “necessary to create a Bank – any power not specifically and proper” to carry out its duties given to the federal gov’t belonged to the states Argued that the Bank was necessary Worried that a National Bank would give too for the gov’t to collect taxes and pay much power to wealthy investors, who would its bills help run it, and to the gov’t Opposed the law setting up the bank – claimed it was unconstitutional 2 of 9.3 Printer Copy US History Fort Burrows

S Britain or France (Foreign Policy) Hamilton Jefferson Wanted close ties with Britain, a major Favored France, the first ally of the US trading partner

FEDERALISTS REPUBLICANS Led by Hamilton Led by Jefferson Wealthy and educated should lead nation People should have political power Strong central gov’t Strong state gov’ts Manufacturing, shipping and trading Agriculture Loose interpretation of Constitution Strict interpretation of Constitution Pro-British Pro-French National Bank National Bank unconstitutional Protective tariff No protective tariff Development of Political Parties u Hamilton and Jefferson clashed in private s Congress started passing many of Hamilton’s programs a Jefferson and Madison decided to organize supporters of their views u In 1791, they went to NY to meet with leading NY politicians like Governor George Clinton and Aaron Burr s Asked for them to convince New Yorkers to vote for Jefferson’s supporters a Republican or Federalists u Jefferson’s supporters were called Democratic Republicans (Republicans) s Included small farmers, artisans and wealthy planters a Hamilton’s supporters were called Federalists u Included merchants and manufacturers from Boston and NY and some southern planters ¿¿ Why did different political parties develop ? ______. u Newspapers Take Sides u Number of newspapers doubled in 1700’s s As party rivalry grew, newspapers took sides a Gazette of the US backed Hamilton; National Gazette backed Jefferson u Newspapers influenced public opinion and articles mixed rumor and opinion with facts s Emotional attacks and counterattacks fanned the flames of party rivalry Election of 1796

3 of 9.3 Printer Copy US History Fort Burrows u Political parties played a large role in the election of GW’s successor s Republicans backed Jefferson for President and Aaron Burr for VP a Federalists backed John Adams for President and Thomas Pinckney for VP u Election of 1796 had an unexpected outcome s Under the Constitution, the person with the most electoral votes became President a The candidate with the next highest total was made VP u John Adams, a Federalist, won office as President and Thomas Jefferson, Republican, came in second to win VP s Having the President and VP from opposing parties increased political tensions a John Adams took office but events soon deepened the distrust between him and Jefferson

Electoral Votes Federalists Adams – 71 Pinckney – 59 Republicans Jefferson – 68 Burr – 30

1. Why did many Americans distrust the idea of political parties ? a.______. b. ______. 2. How did the views of Hamilton and Jefferson differ ? Hamilton - ______. Jefferson – ______. 3. Why did political parties develop ? ______. 4. How did the election of 1796 increase political tensions ? ______.

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