Which political program do you think was more effective during the early Republic--that of the Federalists or that of the Jeffersonians?
Like other normal days in United Kingdom, 4th of July 1776 was also just an ordinary day but the fact is that this date turned out to be one of the most important dates of the world history. America emerged as a new and sovereign country on the globe. Americans were freedom loving people and rebuffing foreigner’s rule they opted for a democratic ruling system of their own in their country. In democratic system political parties are one of the most important apparatus and these parties represent the feelings, requirements, thoughts of people of different and all classes of the society.
Federalists:
Federalist Party, the first political party of America came into existence in early 1790’s during the reign of then American president George Washington. A close aide of President Washington, Alexander Hamilton started connecting people across the country and keeping the future strategies and politics in mind, made a well connected group of influential people and this process gave the birth to a political party, later on named as Federalist Party and supporters of this party were used to known as Federalists. The Federalist Party got major support from urban areas and it was reflected in their economic policies also, which caused voice of protests from rural and other segments of the society and this was the time when another major thought took place in the American politics.
Jeffersonians: Thomas Jefferson was the chief person behind this different thought who raised a voice of protest against Federalist policies and his supporters were known as Jeffersonians in American politics. Jefferson served at some most important posts of American administration and did not support his colleague’s Alexander Hamilton’s policies especially after establishment of Federalist Party there was an understandable rift between the thoughts of both. He was a popular leader and later on in the year 1800 he became the president of America for two consecutive terms (Kelly).
Effect: In early republic, there were two different political thoughts in existence simultaneously, a general inquisitiveness occurs in one’s mind that who was more effective between them, Federalist or Jeffersonian. If we observe the performance of both parties in early American elections in House as well as in senate, we find that the federalists were marginally ahead and the main reason of their success was the support of industrialists and politicians. Since Alexander Hamilton was the man behind this party, he connected all the influential people of the country; he was himself serving as secretary of treasury that time. Apart from this president Washington also had an inclination towards federalists, though he contested both the elections as independent. Federalist Party gave only one president to America is John Adams .
However federalists acquired some initial success but after year 1800 they never returned to power again. The party started losing its base and could not face the political challenges given by Jeffersonians. The situation became grim further with the death of all its stalwart leaders especially after the death of Alexander Hamilton party became like waifs and strays.
On the other hand Jeffersonians started gaining support from all over the country and from all segments of the society. Leaders like Thomas Jefferson and James Madison strengthened the party and made it popular by making suitable policies. Due to their vision, party became powerful and simultaneously an array of leadership also grew up in the party.
Bibliography
Kelly, Martin. Federalist Party. Web. 22 September 2011.
Wright, Robert and Morris J.MacGregor "Federalists and Jeffersonians." 11 August 2000.Web. 22 September 2011.
