The document summarizes the key differences between the Federalist and Republican parties in early American politics. The Federalists, led by figures like Washington, Hamilton, and Adams, believed in a strong central government, loose interpretation of the Constitution, and policies to help businesses. Republicans, led by Jefferson and Madison, favored states' rights, strict interpretation of the Constitution, and an agriculture-based economy. The document outlines the major policies and contributions of key figures from both parties that helped shape the American identity and two-party political system in the early years.

1. Politics shaping the
American Identity
By Desiree Klemenz

2. The Federalist Party
Beliefs/wants: Important Federalists
• Gov. ruled by the “best people” • George Washington
• Powerful central gov. • Alexander Hamilton
• Loose interpretation of Constitution • John Jay
• Gov. helping businesses • John Adams
• Tariff
• National debt not states debts
• Powerful central bank
• Restricted free speech & press
• Strong navy

3. George Washington
• Contributions as Pres.:
• kept America out of war (Jay’s treaty &
neutrality Proc.)
• Expanded the nation West
• Created first political cabinet
• Created Judiciary Act of 1789
• J.A. created: supreme court, federal district,
circuit court & office of attorney general
• Two term presidency

4. John Jay
• Agreements of his treaty:
• British leaves U.S. SOIL
• British pay damages for captured American
ships
• American’s pay British pre-Rev. War debts
• Signed convention of 1800 with France
• (treaty with France, they pay claims from
American Shippers)

5. Alexander Hamilton
• Made Gov. assume all state’s debts ( new state debt=
21.5 million)+ pay back all bonds( in full, with interest)
• Gave fed District of Potomac to Virginia (for a vote)
• Created:
• Bank of U.S. ( keep money circulating, print money in
time of need)
• Tariff (tax on imports)
• Excise tax (tax on few U.S goods)this created whiskey
rebellion

6. John Adams
• Contributions:
• Kept up Washington’s peace mission
• Created: the Navy, Marine corps, & 3 ship navy
grew
• Sedition act= limited freedom of press+ speech
• Alien act= harder to become citizen
• Passed judiciary act of 1801 this let him appoint
Many fed. judges before he left
office

7. Overall changes to American Identity
• Less diversity
• More fighting/more soldiers (Jay’s treaty +
neutrality Proc. Angered the French)
• Results of Hamilton’s actions:
• Strong gov. with huge debt.
• New taxes + tariff (becoming more like Britain)
• More people in jail for opinion’s or can’t pay taxes
• Rich get richer
• former slaves forced back into slavery
• money prints stop

8. Republicans
aka Democratic- Republicans
Beliefs/wants Fathers of Republicanism
• Gov. ruled by many informed citizens • Thomas Jefferson
• Weak gov. better state rights • James Madison
• Strict interpretation of constitution
• Farming based economy
• Very small navy
• No national debt

9. Thomas Jefferson
• Created party in 1790
• Wrote Dec. of ind.
• Hamilton’s rival
• Believed fed. were crossing constitution
• Convinced stated to reclaim rights
• “ I hold it that little rebellion now and then is a
good thing…. The tree of Liberty must be
refreshed from time to time with blood of
patriots and tyrants( zinn,pg95)

10. Thomas Jefferson as Pres.
• Let victims of sedition act out of jail
• Naturalization law of 1802= live in U.S. for 5 years to
become citizen, instead of 14
• Got rid of excise tax , cost gov. a million$ a year in
revenue
• Federalism declared defiance of people’s wishes
• New congress elected
• Judiciary Act of 1789 declared unconstitutional
• Embargo Act= stopped all foreign trade (replaced
in1809)
• Non-Intercourse Act= can trade with anyone except
France + Britain
• Louisiana purchase = more land

11. Louisiana Purchase

12. James Madison
• Wrote bill of rights: gave fed. More supporters
• Helped Jefferson create party and bring back
states rights
• Involved in famous court case
• Brought back embargo against Britain when
he was pres. , caused war of 1812
• During pres. He also took west
Florida from Spain

13. Marbury vs. Madison
• Adams appointed many judges at last min
• Jefferson told Madison not to deliver their
commission
• Madison didn’t and William Marbury sued
• Court ruling:
• Judiciary Act of 1789 declared unconstitutional
• it gave supreme court a power that it was denied
in the constitution(the act of giving commission
before you can be a judge)
• It’s funny how the act was declared illegal yet
everything that was set up under it is not.

14. Overall changes to American Identity
• More diversity in citizens
• Less people in jail
• Less rebellion and taxes
• National debt increasing
• Alliance's dissolved
• Little money coming in (non at one point-
more people are poor and more classes are
seeing some hardship)
• Adams stunt created Judicial review
• Two party system gave them their democracy

15. Sources
• The American Pageant by D. Kennedy, L.
Cohen, T. Bailey
• People’s History of the United States by
Howard Zinn
• Southern Planter Handout
• Marbury vs. Madison (law class handout- case
study)
• http://www.virginia.edu/pjm/biography1.htm