DBQ: Growth Of Political Parties Essay

In current times, the American semi policy-making system is most commonly associated with the ongoing conflicts between political parties. The two major parties that strive for maneuver of the American vote are the Democrats and the Re nationalans. However, when our government was formed, the political parties were quite different. At first, politicians tried to stay away from political parties, but by creating a democratic government, a political party system could non be avoided. The two recognized parties were the Democratic-Republicans, led by doubting Thomas Jefferson, and the Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton.Political parties separated the country. upper-case letter had tried to prevent them from rising up, but due to extreme differences in views, his attempt was futile. Hamiltons strong central government idea contrasted with Jeffersons strong state side government. Sides were taken, and differences were debated. Without a compromise, each party would continue to try and impose their beliefs on the American people. The Democratic-Republicans appealed more to the common man, whereas the Federalists favored wealthy aristocrats. Financially, the Federalists were much more powerful than the Democratic-Republicans.The wealthy merchants were voted into office originally because of their social and economic status. Prior to Jeffersons administration, m both politicians were not publicly known like today. This led to Washington and Adams government being controlled by the Federalists. Jefferson would win the people and presidency. Jefferson and his supporters would control the government, ensuring that America would remain a democracy.Alexander Hamilton was Washingtons Secretary of Treasury. Over the course of Washingtons presidency, Hamilton proposed and passed some federalist bills. These bills led to a public distrust of the Federalist Party. Therefore causing a large portion of the country to side with the Democratic-Republicans. Hamiltons party fe ared the Democratic-Republicans, saying . the views of these gentlemen Democratic-Republicans are unsound and dangerous. Hamiltons deprivation of faith in the other party caused him to impose more Federalist bills and limit the power of the common man.In retaliation to these new laws, many men began to let out their distrust in the government through the newspapers. The Alien and Sedition Acts wasthe most controversial bill passed by the federalists. As stated by John Allen, a Federalist Congressman, in 1798 . Papers printed in this city and elsewhere which print the most shameless falsehoods against the representatives of the people The Federalists feared the common mans power to persuade others into becoming Democratic-Republicans.Washingtons Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson, was the leader of the Democratic-Republican Party. As Jefferson wrote in a memo to himself in 1790, Hamilton was not only a monarchist, but in support of a monarchy Jefferson had not only publicly disc redited Hamilton and the Federalist Party, but in private he also felt the same distrust. Jefferson also talked about the bills that Hamilton passed in his speeches, The excise task is an infernal one and has now associated to it a detestation of the government. After Hamiltons biggest mistake, allowing the Alien and Sedition Acts to be passed, Jefferson easily won support from the common man. still members of the government began to support Jefferson and his beliefs.As George Hay, a member of the Virginia State Legislature, said in 1799, The freedom of the press means the total exemption of the press from any kind of legislative control, and consequently the Sedition Bill is an abridgement of its liberty There were many differences in political views between Hamilton and Jefferson this led to the formation of the political parties, and Hamiltons poor choice of governing led to the popularity and the distinction of the two parties. Even though Washington attempted to forewarn u s about the dangers of political parties, compromises could not be met, and therefore differences in beliefs will become actions as demonstrated in the history of Americas government.