Chapter Seven Essay--Trace the development of political parties during Washington's administration and describe their basic philosophies. George Washington was the very first President of the United States. This was such a huge role to take on, not only because of his duties as President, but because it was also setting a precedent for future U.S. Presidents and the federal government as a whole. During Washington’s presidency, many political parties and departments were set up, each with a certain role in the federal government, and many with different ideological views. Washington’s first order of business was to establish his Cabinet. The Department of State, under the first secretary Thomas Jefferson, was responsible for U.S. …show more content…
As far as the constitution, the Federalists believed that the federal government had implied rights to pretty much everything, even if it wasn’t specifically written in “black and white” in the U.S. Constitution. They were also big proponents for national banks, tariffs, and good relation with Britain. The Republican Party’s first leader was Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson was from a much different lifestyle than Hamilton, so a lot of their political ideologies differed in many ways. For example, Jefferson believed in a limited federal government to protect the states’ rights and the rights of its people. They believe that the people of this country could in fact govern themselves and should have a big say in the laws of their state, and their country. This is where their views differ when it comes to the Constitution, because the Republicans believed that the constitution, and the Bill of Rights set in place specific rules and regulations and rights for not only the people of the United States, but the governing bodies as well. To them there was no “gray area” when it came to government rights and people’s rights, they were “set in stone”. Republicans believed that the closer the relationship between the government and its people, the better off the country would be, because it allows the people being governed to have a say in what is being done. This is why they also wanted voting
Federalists and Democratic-Republicans have many different beliefs and views on our constitution.Federalist believe our country should be ruled by the “Best people”.Federalists think our country should be ran by the educated and wealthy.Most federalist shared a common view that people were selfish and only out for themselves so they distrusted any system of government that gave too much power to common people.There logic was since these people were given the education and background they had the right foundation to run the country wisely and they were trusted to make good decisions.This view came dangerously close to monarchy ,or being ruled by a king.
“The framers of the constitution envisioned a one-party state in which partisan distinctions would be muted by patriotism and public virtue.” (Faragher, et. al, page 211) However, even in our early days of nationhood, different factions of beliefs would ensue. As Founding Fathers of our nation, both Hamilton and Madison played large roles in the evolution of political parties and many of the foundations of these parties still remain today.
Political parties in America have been prevalent since the Federalist Party was founded by Alexander Hamilton, and the Democratic-Republican party was founded by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, in the 1790s ("Compare U.S. Political Parties"). These parties were developed from sharp differences in opinion. During this time period, there were opposing views on how the government should be organized (Flanders). In short, the Federalist Party wanted a strong federal government and the Democratic-Republican Party believed that states’ rights would be weakened in result of a strong federal government ("Compare U.S. Political Parties"). They also had differing views on how strict the Constitution should be, the economy and foreign policy. As the country grew, so did its pressing issues and citizen’s opinions on these issues. Consequently, the names of these political parties eventually changed to the Republican Party and the Democratic Party as more people began to band together to for their common belief ("Compare U.S. Political Parties").
“Although Washington hated partisanship and political parties, he tolerated dissent, vicious attacks on his reputation and name, and a divisive press—all in the interest of freedom” (Knott). As he was writing the constitution others saw his leadership, and saw that he was fit to become the first president. At first he didn’t want to become president, but he finally caved in and ran for presidency. During the election on Jan. 7, 1789, he won and became the first US president. When he became president he controlled 11 states, since most of the states were being created. Each decision he made, he knew that they would effect the next president and the way they would govern the US. He nominated the chief justice of the US Supreme Court, creating a first national bank and made his own presidential
The United States faced many problems during Washington’s administration. Washington was responsible for setting a firm foundation after the new government was formed. Washington could’ve easily set up a monarchy. But, by opposing this form of government, Washington set the U.S. up on the path to becoming a democracy instead of a nation ruled by dictators and strongmen. One of the first challenges Washington faced was the argument between Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton over a bank for the nation. Hamilton created the bank because he wanted to increase the power of the national government, but Jefferson opposed the idea because he believed it was unconstitutional, would benefit wealthy merchants, and it gave the national government
The Federalist Party, founded by Alexander Hamilton, first started during the ratification of the Constitution. This party's view on human nature shaped many of their other beliefs. “Every man ought to be supposed a scoundrel and to have no other goal in all his actions, but private interest,” Hamilton strongly stated. Most Federalists shared Hamilton’s view that people were basically selfish and out for themselves. Since they believed this, they thought the government should be run by educated, wealthy, and public-spirited men. To them, national power and unity was more essential to nation’s success than the rights of the states.
One of the most important developments in American history is the formation of the two party system. Since Jefferson and Hamilton fought for the support of the nation, American politics has been characterized by the battle between two ideologies. The split between Americans began with the Federalist and Democratic-Republican parties. The Federalists, led by Hamilton, believed in a national bank, high tariffs, good relations with Britain, and were strong proponents of northern business. The Democratic-Republicans, led by Jefferson and Madison, were against a national bank, favored relations with the French revolutionaries, desired an economy based on southern agriculture, and championed states rights. The differences between the two parties
During the Revolutionary- Federalist Era, politics, parties, programs, policies, and people made an enormous difference in how the new nation should be structured and run. During this era, two men in particular championed politics and their respective parties. These two men were Alexander Hamilton, a Federalist, and Thomas Jefferson, a Democratic-Republican. Both Hamilton and Jefferson were successful college educated intellectuals and politicians who made significant contributions to the development of the United States policies and programs. However Hamilton, despite never being elected President, had more influence over the development of the United States’ policies and programs during the
The Federalists and Republicans were two parties that were trying to prove that their way of government was right. The leader of the Federalists was Thomas Jefferson and the leader of the Republicans was Alexander Hamilton. The Federalists wanted a strong central government. While the Republicans favored the states rights more than the central government. The people who supported the Federalists were more powerful than the Republicans and used their wealth to create a national government.
The federalists believed in a loose interpretation of the constitution and in a government, that was centrally strong, they were more known and followed in New England and the Atlantic sea coats, and they were for the British and against French. The federalists thought strong of Hamilton’s policies. As for the republicans, they believed in a strict interpretation, and
They wanted a strong national government, and they didn’t want to be granted permission from the Constitution. They also believed that manufacturing and commerce should be our main industry, while the Democratic-Republicans wanted farming to be the nation’s industry. The Federalists also supported a national bank for our country, which the Democratic-Republicans were really against. So whose interpretation of the constitution is used
After having a full semester discussing and learning about the information found in the We the People book, Maggie, Peighton, and Jasper chose to base their essay off how political parties are an important part of our political system today, yet they are not mentioned in the Constitution. Peighton researched and wrote about the first question, which was why the framers were afraid of political parties. Jasper, on the other hand, focused over the second question or why and how political parties were developed. For the third question, Maggie found information over the question, do political parties play a useful role today and why. The fourth and final question, which is focused over do political parties play a useful role today and why not,
Anyone who has been exposed to modern American politics is likely aware that many issues are often contested between two political parties called the Democrats and the Republicans. It is interesting to note that the practice of two political parties debating key issues has been in use since the very beginning of the United States government. At the beginning of the United States as an independent nation, opposing ideologies in Congress eventually developed into the Federalists and the Democratic Republicans. The issues of the day revolved around how to set up the government and its finances. In order to compare the two parties, it seems the logical course would be to examine each of their stances on these issues.
June 21, 1778 was when the American constitution was ratified. It was the first modern democracy. There have been many political parties including the federalist, the anti federalists, the old left, the Whigs, and the old right. America’s main two political parties currently are the republicans and the democrats. One could almost guarantee that the winners of the 2016 election will be the nominee from one of these parties. there is no common ground between theses parties, on is black the other is white. Both parties have there good and there bad and no party is good.
Throughout his presidency, George Washington warned about how the formation of political parties would be detrimental to the prosperity of the nation. Washington viewed political parties as being destructive due to the temptation of manifesting power and seeking revenge on political opponents. He truly believed that parties would divide the American people and have a negative influence on government. However, his warning was overlooked and following his second term, the divisions became clear and a two-party system was established. While some believe it is still possible to govern without parties, they do not realize what it is they help accomplish. Political parties in a democracy help inform the public, organize the government, and assist in reaching compromise.