First Party System

First Party System

By Joshua Pry

Open Ended

Jefferson was the leader of what party?

Open Ended

Hamilton was the leader of what party?

First Party System

• The first parties were the Democratic-Republicans v. the Federalist a.k.a Jeffersonians v. Hamiltonians

• Many forefathers hated political systems b/c they cause internal strife

• Jefferson and Hamilton both became members of Washington's cabinet.

Washington's First Cabinet

• Jefferson was the Secretary of State

• Hamilton was the Secretary of Treasury

• Each had contrasting opinions and hated the other (refer back to their letters to Washington)

• They come to blows over Hamilton's Four Point Plan

The Four Point Plan

• Hamilton want to fund the national debt and be able to repay the US's creditors

• Federal gov't would take over paying off state debts in process known as "assumption"

• Creating a Bank of the United States (not Bank of America)

• Make the US a manufacturing society

The Four Point Plan - cont

• Jefferson objected to the assumption because some states were already close to paying off debts (Virginia were Jefferson was from).

• In secret meetings Jeff is able to trade state debts for moving capitol to DC

• Bank should be set up loosely (did not resemble a typical bank)

• Jefferson believed US should remain small farms

Feelings about "the People"

• Hamilton: the people are an unruly mob

• Jefferson: the people are good, but are not smart

• This places Washington in a tough spot. Although he does not agree with Hamilton's views of the people he thinks the Four Points are good for the nation.

Foreign Affairs

• French Revolution

• Hamilton wants to support the British due to trade relations

• Jefferson wants to support the French to repay for support during American Revolution

European Wars

• Neutrality Proclamation 1793 (don't help either but still trade with both)

• British began seizing American merchant ships and forcing sailors to join navy (impressment)

• Jay's Treaty 1794 (British pay for the ships they took and stopped impressments

Election of 1796

• Jefferson v. John Adams

• Adams was a moderate Federalist

• Adams wins but Jefferson becomes VP

• They were friends but the election s​trained their friendship

• Adams does not really consult with Jefferson during his presidency​

​Both Adams and Jefferson die on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Ind.

Adams Presidency

• Federalists are becoming divided

• Hamilton is pulling strings to guide the party

• Adams doesn't trust Jefferson or Hamilton

• European wars are still going on

• French are seizing American ships

• Hamilton wants to go to war

Anti-French Hysteria

• XYZ affair - French wanted a bribe before they would negotiate

• Alien and Sedition Acts

• Alien Enemies Law (President could deport anyone that is suspicious)

• Naturalization law, doubles time for recent immigrants

• Prosecution of Republican supporters (political cartoonists)

Election of 1800

• Adams still resists the war - Hamilton is furious

• Adams vs Jefferson again

• Jefferson seems to win but his vp choice Aaron Burr gets same number of Electoral votes

• Election goes to House of Reps.

• Hamilton urges Federalist to vote for Jefferson because he hates Burr

  (he thought Burr was self-involved and not a true Federalist)

Jefferson's First Term

• Called the "Revolution of 1800"

• Famous first inaugural "difference of opinion does not mean difference of principle."

• Inaugurates small government

• The only big gov't action taken by Jefferson is the Louisiana Purchase.