Exploring the First Political Parties

Mr. Kon discusses the origins and impacts of the first political parties in the U.S., the Federalists and Democratic Republicans, founded by Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson. The video covers their differing beliefs on government, economy, and foreign affairs, and the implications of the 1796 election where John Adams became president and Thomas Jefferson vice president. The video concludes with a reflection on the role of political parties in government.

What did George Washington warn against during his presidency?

• Expanding westward

• Engaging in foreign wars

• Increasing taxes

• Forming political parties

Who were the founders of the first political parties in the United States?

• George Washington and John Adams

• James Madison and John Jay

• Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson

• John Adams and Benjamin Franklin

What did Federalists believe about ordinary citizens?

• They are the backbone of the country

• They should have more power than the government

• They should be the primary leaders

• They are too chaotic to make good decisions

Who was nominated by the Republicans in the 1796 election?

• George Washington and John Adams

• Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr

• John Adams and Charles Pickney

• Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson

Why was having a president and vice president from opposing parties a problem in 1796?

• They had no prior political experience

• They both wanted to be president

• They were from the same state

• They had different views and did not work well together

What type of government did the Federalists support?

• A strong national government

• A weak national government

• A government with no central authority

• A government led by ordinary people

What was the Democratic-Republican view on the economy?

• Investment in technology

• Land ownership and farming

• Urban growth of cities and factories

• Manufacturing and trade

What is 'loose construction' in terms of the Constitution?

• Following the Constitution word for word

• Amending the Constitution frequently

• Interpreting the Constitution to allow for necessary actions

• Ignoring the Constitution

Which country did the Federalists prefer to ally with?

• France

• Spain

• Great Britain

• Germany

What are the two big questions to consider about political parties?

• How do political parties affect our government and would our country be better off without them?

• How do political parties form and what are their main goals?

• How do political parties raise funds and what are their main challenges?

• What are the benefits of political parties and how do they influence elections?