Republicans	Federalists
"I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man."	"A national debt attaches many citizens to the government who, by their numbers, wealth, and influence, contribute more perhaps to its preservation than a body of soldiers."
Founder: Thomas Jefferson	Founder: Alexander Hamilton
Appearance:  Rambled when he talked  Mind jumped from topic to topic  Worn clothes  Gave impression of carelessness  Poetic  Creative  First American architect of his generation-Monticello   Position after Constitution: Secretary of State Philosophies:  Spread power Feared tyranny Championed liberty Held hope for human spirit Believed with education, humans could be trusted Supported agriculture American Vision:  Farming community Mild laws Equal opportunity Asylum for oppresses Preserve simplicity and equality	Appearance:  Well-dressed  Orderly  Organized mind  Neat  Intense  Energetic  Popular with women  Position after Constitution: Secretary of Treasury Philosophies:  Concentrate power with elite few Feared anarchy Championed order Held  humans as inherently flawed Believed humans  make poor choices Supported shipping and manufacture American Vision:  Success founded on commerce and wealth Strict laws Society of rich and poor based on English model Make America a new Europe Advance into new technological age
Links to Biographical Sites Thomas Jefferson's Words	Links to Biographical Sites Biography of Alexander Hamilton  Aaron Burr vs. Hamilton

In American history, historians frequently link Thomas Jefferson to the Democratic-Republican Party.  True this may be, when Jefferson first took his post under George Washington, establishing a political party was not a desire.  He wrote, "If I could not go to heaven but with a party, I would not go there at all."  However, his ideology directly conflicted with his fellow cabinet member Alexander Hamilton.  Hamilton gained favor with Washington during the War for Independence and became one of Washington's closest friends.  The main issue dividing the two was the existence of a National Bank.  Hamilton argued a strong national bank could pay off the nation's numerous debts and give creditors a personal stake in the success of the country.  Jefferson feared a national bank would take money from the poor and put it in the hands of the rich.  Jefferson worried that corrupt politicians could gain access to advance their own personal wealth.  In spite of Jefferson's concerns, Washington supported the establishment of a National Bank in Philadelphia.

At this point, Jefferson was faced with a choice.  He could  leave office and allow Hamilton and his supporters control of  the Executive Branch.  Conversely, he could remain and do everything in his power to "quietly" impede Hamilton's goals.  Realizing a controversy among his cabinet would endanger the budding nation, Washington convinced both men to continue their posts.

In Congress, the conflict over the National Bank and other financial legislation began polarizing the representatives.  Those in favor of Hamilton's philosophies (see above) became known as the Federalists.  Those favoring Jefferson's ideals became known as Republicans.  James Madison, "Father of the Constitution", led the Republicans from 1793-1800.

In addition to the National Bank issue, the Revolution in France increasingly divided American ideology.  In France, the disenfranchised peasants were attempting to overthrow the landed aristocracy.  Samuel Eliot Morrison wrote, "The French Revolution seemed to some a clear-cut contest between monarchy and republicanism, oppression and liberty, autocracy and democracy; to others, simply a new breaking-out of the eternal strife between anarchy and order, atheism and religion, poverty and property.   The former joined the Republican party; the latter, the Federalist."