Political Parties of Early America:

The Yin &Yang of Human Belief

By Ryan Fan

Objectives1. Identify the major political parties in

America.

2. Explain the values, principles, and differences between political parties of America.

3. Decide if modern America is more “Jeffersonian” or “Hamiltonian.”

Federalist Party• Led by Alexander Hamilton• Focused in the North• Strong FEDERAL Government• Manufacturing, Shipping, Trade• Supported the British• Wanted a Loose Interpretation of the

Constitution• Conservative

Republican Party• Led by Thomas Jefferson• Focused in the South• Strong STATE Government• Agriculture• Supported the French• Wanted a Strict Interpretation of the

Constitution• Liberal

Other Parties• Republicans would later become Democrats

and Whigs after the Federalist Party disappears.

• The Democratic Party was led by Andrew Jackson; similar to former Republican Party.

• The Whig Party was led by Henry Clay; similar to former Federalist Party.

Differing Values (1789-1812)Federalists

• Established national bank and tariff

• Criticized French Revolution• Signed Jay Treaty• Increased army and navy• Alien and Sedition Acts • Opposed the War of 1812 –

wanted to secede

Republicans

• Against Hamilton’s economic plans – “laissez faire”

• Supported French Revolution• Against Jay Treaty• Cut military and government• Supported Virginia and

Kentucky Resolutions• Supported the War of 1812

Modern America: Jeffersonian or Hamiltonian?

• Constitutional freedom and support for the middle-class continues to be very strong values of the Democratic Party, but they also heavily focus on Federal involvement in the economy.

• The modern Republican Party focuses on more “laissez faire” economics, but they also support more power for the Federal government to control rights of the people.

• America today borrows values from both men and arguments are still made today about whose is the best for the country.

Theme• My topic of Early American Political Parties fits

the Unit Theme of Challenges because: 1. Political parties provided opposition for anyone

vying for control and power in the government.2. People had to fight to demonstrate their beliefs

and values and overcome obstacles set by the other party.

3. Unifying and keeping peace inside the nation was often made difficult by conflicting political affiliations.

What do you think?Begin the Class Debate!

The rules• Four Groups – Two Federalist and

Two Republican• One spokesperson from each group• 3 minutes to respond/3 minutes for

rebuttal (for each team of two)• Closing Arguments

The Issue• One of the most important issues in modern America is

the economic crisis. With bank bailouts, rising unemployment, national debt, and numerous other problems, people during the beginnings of the country over 200 years ago faced many of the same difficulties.

• The major argument in the 1790’s and early 1800’s was the role of the federal government in the economy. Today, the government in both parties focuses on regulating the economy, but many economic problems also began as government policies.

The Economic Crisis

The Argument• Imagine that you were members of either the

Federalist or Republican parties in the 1790’s, and you were given the opportunity to present a solution to the economic crisis during the time to Congress and the President, as well as your view on how the government should regulate economy.

• Defend your views and create your own solutions to what you believe must be done as an appropriate representation of the party using relevant statistics and examples.

Remember…• Main Economic Problem: National Debt

Federalist Party1. Government Economic Policies2. Manufacturing and Trade3. High Federal Taxes

1. Laissez Faire2. Agriculture

3. No Federal Taxes

1. Capitalism and Free Market Economy

2. National Bank*

3. Tariff*

Republican Party

*Republicans originally opposed

Any Questions?