Jefferson’s Republicans vs. Hamilton’s Federalists

The two party system started to develop during Washington’s first administration. Although Washington was elected by unanimous vote in the electoral college in 1792, two opposing parties began to take shape. By 1794 the two party system was established.

The Federalists

·        Not exactly the same as the Federalists who supported the Constitution, but similar in many ways

·        Alexander Hamilton and his followers

·        Strong in New England and the Atlantic Seaboard

·        Wealthy merchants, manufacturers, and church leaders

·        “The rich, the well born, and the able” – John Adams

·        Little faith in average person’s ability to participate in government

·        Elite and wealthy have more virtue and therefore should lead

·        Because distrust common people, give power to the wealthy

·        Make sure wealthy have a stake in future of American society and government

·        Supported National Bank and strong central government

·        Favored loose or elastic interpretation of constitution

·        Opposed to literal interpretation of the constitution

 

The Republicans

·        Thomas Jefferson and his followers

·        Strong in South and West

·        Owners of small farms or wage earners in growing towns

·        “The people” and the small farmers who made up 90% of population should control the government through their leaders

·        “Government secures power from the consent of the governed”

·        Faith in the virtue of the common citizen (male)

·        Favored limited federal power and strong state power

·        Opposed National Bank and favored strict or literal interpretation of Constitution

·        Wanted to make sure individual liberties were protected

Parties in 1794 were different from the parties of today. In 1794 they were loosely grouped alliances centering around leaders of different political beliefs.

Today’s parties are more ideological.

The Alien and Sedition Acts

·        Major points of contention between the Federalists and Republicans

·        Four laws passed by the Federalist Congress in 1798

·        Federalists claimed purpose was to unify the country

·        Republicans claimed the purpose was to weaken the Republicans

 

1) Naturalization Act – aliens must reside in U.S. for 14 years before becoming citizens (prior to this time period was 5 years)

·        Federalists claimed it protected country from aliens during war time

·        In reality it decreased Republican support since many immigrants were Republicans

2) Alien Act – the Presidents can expel all aliens judged dangerous to the peace and safety of the U.S. or involved in plots against the government

3) Alien Enemies Act – President in time of war could imprison or banish any foreigner considered dangerous to public safety

·        Could silence anti-Federalist opinion because Federalist President could determine who was “dangerous”

4) Sedition Act – established fines and imprisonment for anyone who wrote, said, or printed anything false, malicious, or scandalous against the government, Congress, or President with the intent to defame

·        Sedition = to stir up discontent or rebellion against the government

·        25 people were prosecuted and 10 jailed under this act, all of them Republicans

These acts were not fully enforced, but they had the effect of driving many aliens out of the country and they kept many Americans from criticizing their government. First Amendment rights were violated. These acts also reveal the extent of partisanship in government.

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

·        The Republican answer to the Federalists Alien and Sedition Acts

·        Kentucky Resolution written by Jefferson in 1798

·        Virginia Resolution written by Madison in 1799

·        Based on states’ rights and the compact theory of government in order to attack excessive federal power   

1.     Federal government was created by the states

2.     Federal government is an agent for the states operating under a compact; states had delegated only certain powers to the federal government

3.     States can criticize the federal government and determine if an act is unauthorized or unconstitutional

·        Logically leads to right to declare acts of Congress null and void

·        Could lead to succession

·        Federalists respond that the Constitution was made by the people, not the states, and that the Supreme Court decides constitutionality

·        Other states did not ratify because state legislatures were controlled by the Federalists

 

Even though Republicans won the election of 1800 the idea of strong central government continued to be influential