Rise Of Political Parties In The 1790s Essay

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In 1787, the Continental Congress was brought together in the Philadelphia Convention to revise the Articles of Confederation. The Constitution was written and since people had different views on how to interpret it, two political parties were eventually formed: The federalists and the Democratic-Republicans. The main reason for the rise of political parties during the 1790s was because each of the parties favored different political and economical reforms needed as a new, developing country. Alexander Hamilton led the Federalists and they favored a loose interpretation of the Constitution, while Thomas Jefferson and the Democratic-Republican Party favored strict interpretation. The Federalists wanted to create a national economy by creating …show more content…
The Democratic-Republicans felt that there should be a strict interpretation, which meant that the Constitution should be followed word for word. Both parties also had different views on the government. “Therefore it was that the Constitution restrained them to the necessary means, that is to say, to those means without the grant of the power would be nugatory (useless)” (Document A). Thomas Jefferson’s strict interpretation is demonstrated in this statement. He does not believe that the collection of taxes is necessary because it was not specifically stated in the Constitution. Jefferson’s point of view is that he thinks that the Federalists are making claims that are not in the Constitution and he thinks their power is useless. “…Cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government…” (Document C). In George Washington’s Farewell Address, he claimed that the government should try its best to not develop political parties. He warned that overtime it would hurt the government because they would not be able to make decisions. “And be it farther enacted, That if any …show more content…
The Democratic-Republican Party felt they should become allies with the French, while the Federalists wanted to create a foreign policy with Britain. The political cartoon of Jefferson (Document F) was considered a Federalists outlook of the situation. They viewed Jefferson as an atheist who favored French involvement. The image explains that Jefferson and the eagle are fighting over the Constitution in regards to the French Revolution. The Federalists opposed this position because they did not want to become allies with the French because they were pro-British. “The United States in the mean Time at Their discretion extending their settlements to any part within the said boundary line, except within the precincts or Jurisdiction of any of the said Posts” (Document B). Jay’s Treaty was signed and discussed to avoid the war with Britain. It states that the British government withdrew all of the threats against United States’ sailors. The Federalists strategy was to strengthen the economic ties with Britain. They wanted to settle the pre-war claims and debts with them before anything got out of hand. The Democratic-Republicans did not agree with this treaty because they believed nothing was accomplished and they did not want to become allies with Britain after they just broke free from them. The point of view of this treaty was that the Federalists wanted to

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