Early American Political Parties

Lesson Objectives

We will Explain the origin and development of American political parties.

I will follow along on quizizz and answer questions to check for understanding during our lesson. I will check for comprehension by creating a graphic organizer that outlines early American political parties and their beliefs.

Democrat and Republican parties in the United States today

Examples:

According to the dictionary, a political party is a group of persons organized to acquire and exercise political power.

Definition:

The Federalist Party

• The first political party in the United States

• Formed in 1791 by Alexander Hamilton

• Advocated for a strong central government and a central bank

• Supported the ratification of the Constitution

• Loose interpretation of the Constitution.

• Supported by merchants and factory owners (rich people)

The Democratic-Republican Party

• Formed in 1791 by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison

• Opposed: Federalist Party and their strong central government, did not want a central bank

• Beliefs: Limited government, strict interpretation of the Constitution

• Evolution: Split into Democratic Party and Republican Party in the 1820s

• Supported by farmers (common people)

The Whig Party

• The Whig Party was a political party in the United States that existed from the early 1830s to the mid-1850s.

• It was formed in opposition to President Andrew Jackson and his Democratic Party.

• The Whigs supported a strong federal government, protective tariffs, and internal improvements.

• Notable Whig leaders included Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, and William Henry Harrison.