Chapter 8, Section 3Rise of Political Parties

A Distrust of Political Parties

Americans distrusted political parties◦They could be used for personal gain

◦Threat to unityParties grew up around two

adversaries◦Alexander Hamilton◦Thomas Jefferson

Differing Views

Hamilton and Jefferson had differing views on what was best for the country

Manufacturing or farming?Federal or State governments

Manufacturing or Farming?Differing Views

HamiltonThought the U.S. should model itself on Britain

Wanted government to encourage trade and manufacturing

Favored the growth of cities

Manufacturing or Farming?Differing Views

Jefferson◦Believed farmers were the backbone of the nation

◦Feared manufacturing would corrupt the U.S.

◦Anti –big cities

Differing ViewsFederal or state governments

Hamilton Jefferson

◦Wanted the federal government to have more power than the states

Wanted the state governments to have more power than the federal government

Differing Views Bank of the United States

Hamilton Jefferson

Interpreted the Constitution loosely

Constitution gave Congress power to make all laws

Argued the bank was “necessary” to collect taxes and pay bills

◦ It gave too much power to the federal government and wealthy investors

◦ Called it unconstitutional: not permitted by the Constitution

◦ Interpreted the Constitution strictly

JeffersonBank of the United States is unconstitutional

Jefferson’s strict interpretation◦Nowhere did it give the federal government power to create a bank

◦If not stated in the Constitution powers belong to the States

Differing ViewsBritain or France?

Hamilton Jefferson

Wanted close ties with Britain

Important trading partner

Favored FranceFirst ally of the

U.S. in its struggle for independence

Party Rivalry

When Congress began passing Hamilton’s programs Jefferson and Madison organized public support

Republicans and Federalists

Democratic Republicans:

Federalists:

Jefferson’s supportersIncluded small

farmers, crafts workers, some wealthy planters

Hamilton’s supporters◦ Wanted a strong federal

governmentIncluded merchants

and manufacturers in cities and some wealthy southern planters

Newspapers begin to take sides

Newspapers more than doubled in the late 1700s to meet the demands for information

Publishers lined up against the parties

Newspapers had great influence on public opinion◦Used rumor, opinion, and facts

A Slim Victory

Political Parties plated an important role in choosing Washington successors

Under the Constitution the person with the most electoral votes became president

The next highest total was made Vice President

So……

A Slim Victory

John Adams, A Federalist won office as President

Thomas Jefferson, a Republican became Vice President