The existence of political parties can be dated back to the pre-revolutionary Whigs and Tories that arrived to the colonies from Great Britain. As the need for a division in politics subsided, these parties became less official factions. However, when the issues of the territory began to change, the presence of factions began to change. The evolution of factions into rivaling political parties in the 1790s resulted from contrasting views between Thomas Jefferson’s Republicans and Alexander Hamilton’s Federalists due to different beliefs in regards to the Constitution’s power and the impact of foreign policy and economic growth on the young United States. The Federalists were the first group to control the government of the United States and the accomplishments of George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and John Adams defined the party. On the other hand, distinguished men like Thomas Jefferson and James Madison fought to turn over the government into the hands of the Democratic-Republicans. The vast differences between the groups mentioned are direct results from the differences between their core beliefs. On July 4, 1776 the United States declared its independence. This declaration was followed by a high casualty war between the thirteen states and Great Britain. After the fighting, America was granted its independence and; consequently, responsible for building a new nation. Due to his admirability, loyalty, and impressive stature, General George Washington was unanimously elected to serve as the first President of the United States of America. The Constitution of the United States was established in 1789 and the revised two years later to include the individual rights and freedoms of people in what was deemed the Bill of Rights. In his farewell address, George Washington set precedents for future executives, including honoring a two-term service, being cautious when dealing with foreign affairs, and avoiding the destructive power of political parties (Document 4). Prior to George Washington’s address, Alexander Hamilton wrote in a section of the Federalist Papers that also warned about the danger of political factions, such as the result of Shay’s Rebellion in the 1780s (Document 8). However, their warnings did not prevent the rise of rival parties who battled for control of office in the elections of 1796. In his farewell address, Washington did not include his insight on how the Constitution should be interpreted. As a result, a division occurred across the United States between those who believed the Constitution meant exactly what was written in it, and those who believed the rights not defined by the Constitution belonged to the federal government. The latter became known as the Federalist Party because of their beliefs in a strong central government. The first group was named the Democratic-Republicans, who often butted heads with the Federalists because of their contrary beliefs in regards to the government. Specifically, the Alien and Sedition Acts demonstrate each party’s interpretation of the Constitution. Under their loose interpretation, Federalists felt that the First Amendment was too broad. Congressman John Allen described the necessity of the Sedition Act when he said that under no circumstances should publishing false statements be acceptable (Document 6). He felt that it was to easy for someone to publish false information that could potentially ruin someone’s career without the other party’s ability to defend their name. On the contrary, Virginia State Legislature member George Hay argued that the Sedition Act took away people 's’ rights under the Constitution (Document 7). These two different groups of people were distinguished by their interpretation of the Constitution. Besides the Constitution, American people and politicians were troubled with the matter
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However, this statement is highly contestable. After George Washington’s term, tensions between politicians grew and the Democratic-Republican and Federalist parties formed to continue to grow the nation. The opposition may say that since Jefferson displayed many Federalist principles during his service there were no true political parties yet. On the other hand, Jefferson repealed the Excise Tax because it was created to benefit the wealthy class Federalists. Jefferson’s lower class agrarians were therefore punished by the tax. His ability to repeal the tax demonstrates the existence of two distinct political parties that arose from the
However, this statement is highly contestable. After George Washington’s term, tensions between politicians grew and the Democratic-Republican and Federalist parties formed to continue to grow the nation. The opposition may say that since Jefferson displayed many Federalist principles during his service there were no true political parties yet. On the other hand, Jefferson repealed the Excise Tax because it was created to benefit the wealthy class Federalists. Jefferson’s lower class agrarians were therefore punished by the tax. His ability to repeal the tax demonstrates the existence of two distinct political parties that arose from the