Thomas Jefferson by Britannica Educational Publishing

Author:Britannica Educational Publishing
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Britannica Educational Publishing
Published: 2013-04-15T04:00:00+00:00

John Adams. The Bridgeman Art Library/Getty Images

The U.S. government was divided between two political parties that emerged during Washington’s administration: the Federalists and the Republicans. The Federalist party originated under the direction of Adams and Hamilton and promoted a strong central government. Jefferson and his political ally, James Madison, created the Republican party, which favored more autonomy within the state governments. The Republicans equated the Federalist plan of government to that of a monarchy and referred to pro-British policies as a betrayal of U.S. relations with France. Frustrated by the Federalist-controlled administration, Jefferson retired from the secretary of state office in 1793 and returned to Monticello.

Origins of the Republican Party

During George Washington’s presidency, many former Anti-Federalists—who had resisted adoption of the new federal Constitution in 1787—began to unite in opposition to the economic program of Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton. In 1791 Hamilton and other supporters of a strong central government and a loose interpretation of the Constitution formed the Federalist party. In response, those who favored states’ rights and a strict interpretation of the Constitution rallied under Thomas Jefferson’s leadership to form their own party.

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