Flashcards: Political Parties (1700s–1800s) — Differences and Participants

Federalist Party (1789–1820)

Ideology & Differences: Advocated strong central government, loose Constitution interpretation, national bank, tariffs, pro-British foreign policy, industrial economy. Opposed Democratic-Republicans’ states’ rights and agrarian focus.

•  Key Policies: Hamilton’s financial plan (national bank, debt assumption); Jay’s Treaty (1794) with Britain; Alien and Sedition Acts (1798) to curb dissent.

•  Participants:

•  Leaders: Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, John Jay.

•  Supporters: Merchants, bankers, urban professionals, New Englanders, wealthy landowners.

•  DBQ Relevance: Use to contrast with Democratic-Republicans on federal power; documents might include Hamilton’s bank reports. Outside Evidence: Whiskey Rebellion (1794).

Democratic-Republican Party (1790s–1820s)

Ideology & Differences: Favored limited federal government, strict Constitution interpretation, states’ rights, agrarian economy, pro-French foreign policy. Opposed Federalists’ centralized power and elitism.

•  Key Policies: Opposed national bank; repealed Alien and Sedition Acts; supported Louisiana Purchase (1803) despite constitutional concerns.

•  Participants:

•  Leaders: Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe.

•  Supporters: Farmers, Southern planters, small merchants, frontier settlers, some urban workers.

•  DBQ Relevance: Highlights anti-elitist stance; use for debates on government scope. Outside Evidence: Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions (1798).

Democratic Party (1828–present)

Ideology & Differences: Evolved from Democratic-Republicans; under Jackson, emphasized populism, white male suffrage, limited federal economic control (e.g., anti-bank), westward expansion. Opposed Whigs’ federal infrastructure plans; by 1840s, split on slavery (pro-South faction).

•  Key Policies: Vetoed Second Bank recharter (1832); Indian Removal Act (1830); supported Mexican-American War (1846–1848).

•  Participants:

•  Leaders: Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren, James K. Polk.

•  Supporters: Farmers, urban workers, Irish immigrants, Southern slaveholders, Western settlers.

•  DBQ Relevance: Central to Jacksonian Democracy; use for populism vs. elitism. Outside Evidence: Nullification Crisis (1832–1833).

Whig Party (1833–1856)

Ideology & Differences: Supported strong federal role in economy (national bank, tariffs, internal improvements), social reforms (temperance, education). Opposed Jackson’s anti-bank, populist policies; differed from Democrats by favoring industrial growth over agrarianism.

•  Key Policies: Promoted Clay’s American System (infrastructure, tariffs); elected presidents Harrison (1840), Taylor (1848); split over slavery by 1850s.

•  Participants:

•  Leaders: Henry Clay, William Henry Harrison, Zachary Taylor, Daniel Webster.

•  Supporters: Merchants, industrialists, middle-class reformers, some Southern planters, urban professionals.

•  DBQ Relevance: Contrasts with Democrats on economic policy; use for party system instability. Outside Evidence: Compromise of 1850.