1. Chapter 9 Section 3 notes
Why did many Americans distrust the idea of political parties?
Many Americans distrusted political parties
• Americans had seen how factions, or opposing groups within parties, worked in Britain. Members
of factions were often more interested in personal gain than in public good.
• Political parties could be a threat to national unity. They could lead to “jealousies and false
alarms.”
How did the views of Hamilton and Jefferson differ?
Why did political parties develop?
• Hamilton and Jefferson clashed in private.
• Jefferson and James Madison decided to organize the supporters of their views. They met with
leading New York politicians.
• Leaders in other states organized to support either Hamilton or Jefferson. Jefferson’s supporters
called themselves DemocraticRepublicans. Hamilton’s supporters were called Federalists.
• Newspapers began to take sides.
• The two political parties took part in the election of 1796.

2. Federalists vs. Republicans
• Were led by Alexander Hamilton • Were led by Thomas Jefferson
• Believed wealthy and well educated • Believed people should have political
should lead nation power
• Favored strong central government • Favored strong state governments
• Emphasized manufacturing, shipping, • Emphasized agriculture
and trade • Favored strict interpretation of
• Favored loose interpretation of Constitution
Constitution • Were pro-French
• Were pro-British • Opposed national bank
• Favored national bank • Opposed protective tariff
• Favored protective tariff
How did the election of 1796 increase political tensions?
The Winners
• John Adams for President
• Thomas Jefferson for Vice President