CHAPTER ONE THE RISE OF POLITICAL PARTIES Political parties serve an important role in American society People in these organizations share common values and beliefs Parties pick political candidates They help voters make choices It may be hard to research every candidate’s positions Political parties can give voters a general sense of what candidates believe Modern political parties help voters make choices about candidates standing for election 5
The First Political Parties The US Constitution does not mention political parties The document’s writers distrusted parties When they wrote the Constitution the United States had just won its freedom from Britain Independence came after the American Revolution 1775 1783 Some leaders worried disagreements might cause the new government to crumble President George Washington advised against forming factions or parties Parties arose because people had differing ideas Alexander Hamilton believed in a strong national government In 1787 his followers began calling themselves PERSPECTIVES Opposing Views George Washington and John Adams disapproved of political parties Thomas Jefferson believed otherwise He wrote in support of parties He felt their disagreements would help make the country better 6
Federalists Democratic-Republicans Founded circa 1791 1794 dissolved 1824 Founded circa 1791 1798 dissolved 1825 Led by Alexander Hamilton Led by Thomas Jefferson Favored strong federal government Favored power remaining with the states Focused on manufacturing and commerce Focused on planters and farmers Support centered in New England states Support centered in South and West The First Political Parties This chart shows the differences between the first two political parties in the United States What can you tell about the parties regions based on the parties political beliefs the Federalists The Federalists became the first US political party Thomas Jefferson disagreed with Hamilton He wanted local and state governments to hold most of 7
