First Political Parties

Federalists leaders?

John Adams & Alexander Hamilton

Democratic-Republican leaders?

Thomas Jefferson & James Madison

Federalist view of constitution

interpret loosely/create a strong central government

Democratic-Republican view of constitution

interpret strictly/create weak central government

Federalist foreign policy

pro-British

Democratic-Republican foreign policy

pro-French

Federalist military policiy

develop large peacetime army and navy

Democratic-Republican military policy

develop small peacetime army and navy

Federalist economic policy

aid business; create a national bank; support high tariffs

Democratic-Republican economic policy

favor agriculture; oppose a national bank; oppose tarrifs

Federalist chief supporters?

northern business owners & large landowners

Democratic-Republican chief supporters?

skilled workers; small farmers; and southern plantation owners