Political Parties Emerge History Worksheet Template printable pdf download

Name: _________________________

Period:_______

Date: ____________

Political Parties Emerge

OCABULARY

Faction: opposing groups within political parties

Unconstitutional: not permitted by the Constitution

Federalist: the party of Alexander Hamilton

Democratic Republican: the party of Jefferson, called Republicans

UMMARY

Americans had reason to distrust political

However, Hamilton interpreted the

parties. They remembered how factions

Constitution more loosely. As Congress

within British political parties had upset the

passed many of Hamilton’s programs,

working relations among politicians. Factions,

Jefferson and his supporters decided to

American thought, led politicians to seek

organize. Eventually, the followers of

political favors and to act for personal gain

Hamilton and Jefferson started two political

rather than for public good. Alexander

parties. The two parties were the Federalists

Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson were both

and the Democratic Republicans. (See chart.)

members of President Washington’s Cabinet.

In the 1796 election, the results were

They disagreed about what was best for the

unexpected. The President and Vice President

new country. For example, Jefferson thought

did not belong to the same party. John

that the law creating the Bank of the United

Adams, a Federalist, was President. Thomas

States was unconstitutional. He believed that

Jefferson, a Republican, was Vice President.

the federal government should only have

The election of two men with opposing views

powers specifically mentioned in the

caused tensions within the government.

Constitution.

Differences Between the First Political Parties

Federalists

Democratic-Republicans

Leader: Alexander Hamilton

Leader: Thomas Jefferson

Favored:

• Rule by the wealthy class

• Rule by people

• Strong federal government

• Strong state governments

• Emphasis on manufacturing

• Emphasis on agriculture

• Loose interpretation of the

• Strict interpretation of the

Constitution

• British alliance

• French alliance

• National bank

• State banks

• Protective tariffs

• Free trade

Political Parties Emerge History Worksheet Template

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