Trace the development of political parties in the U.S. from
There were major developments of political parties in the U.S.A during the period that the first three presidents were sworn into office after the ratification of the United States Constitution. George Washington was the first president of the United States who was unanimously elected in the first two national elections, serving from 1789 to 1797. George Washington was a non-partisan. He lacked affiliation with any political party.
In his first inaugural address, George warned people and the congress against the formation of local and party partisanship. He said that creation of parties only forms animosities, prejudices and separate views that consequently misdirect the comprehensive and equal eye, instead of watching over their communities and protecting the interests of the people. He, instead, urged the congress to unite with him as the president, and share their mutual responsibility to preserve the sacred fire of liberty and create a republican form of government ("Presidential Election of 1789 · George Washington's Mount Vernon").
The Federalist party was one of the first political parties formed in the United States. It advocated for a strong and central government. President George Washington was able to exercise his nonpartisan form of leadership during his first few years in the office as president. However, a strong discord developed after the fiscal program by Alexander Hamilton, the secretary of the treasurer. Hamilton joined forces with other people who wanted a strong central government, and formed the Federalist Party in 1971 ("Two Parties Emerge [ushistory.org]").
The different ideological attitudes regarding the French Revolution intensified the differences of the administration supporters with the opposition, consequently making the Federalist Party popular, and this led to John Adams being elected as president in 1976. The Federalist Party advocated for the following centralizing policies; passing the excise laws, creating a central bank, developing and maintaining a tariff system, assumption of state debts, and American shipping getting favorable treatment ("Two Parties Emerge [ushistory.org]").
The Democratic-Republican party was an American political party formed in the 1970s, and was led by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. It was formed to oppose the economic policies of the Federalist Party. This party, also known as the Jeffersonian Republican Party, was formed to oppose Alexander Hamilton’s fiscal programs ("Democratic-Republican Party | Political Party, United States | Britannica.com"). The party viewed most of Hamilton’s measures as unconstitutional, subversive, and thought that they would lead to an aristocracy. The republicans thought France was more democratic especially after its revolution. This party came to power after it successfully managed to elect Thomas Jefferson in 1801, and dominated the affairs of the United States until 1820, when it faded away.
Works Cited
"Democratic-Republican Party | Political Party, United States | Britannica.com." Encyclopedia Britannica. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 June 2016. <http://www.britannica.com/topic/Democratic-Republican-Party>.
"Presidential Election of 1789 · George Washington's Mount Vernon." George Washington's Mount Vernon. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 June 2016. <http://www.mountvernon.org/digital-encyclopedia/article/presidential-election-of-1789/>.
"Two Parties Emerge [ushistory.org]." US History. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 June 2016. <http://www.ushistory.org/us/19c.asp>.
