Jefferson vs.

Hamilton and the birth of political parties

10/12/17

Jefferson attacked Hamilton for being an elitist defender of hierarchically ordered society and British

monarchy.

Jefferson’s vision for egalitarian of small scale manufacturers and self-governance was appealing to -

independent workers.

- Jefferson placed a lot of faith in these people, Hamilton ignored them.

The First Political Parties

- Established against the will of founders and George Washington in particular

The Federalists

- George Washington, John Adams, Alexander Hamilton

- Feared that opponents would destroy union, subvert rights, ally with France

Republicans

- Thomas Jefferson

- Feared that opponents would establish a monarchy, standing army, high taxes, monopolies

A series of Political Crises, 1783-94

- France tried to get US involved in war with England

- Armed rebellion in Pennsylvania

- Native Americans in Ohio, colonists continue to push west

- War with Britain in 1812

Edmond Charles Genet, April, 1793, tried to persuade Americans to join French Revolution

- Violation of U.S. neutrality

- Intensified party divisions

Whiskey Tax was congresses’ way of paying off Revolutionary debt

- Corn farmers on the frontier saw this as an attack on them

o 7,000 frontiersmen marched in Pittsburg (Whiskery Rebellion)

o Washington responded with 15,000 strong militia

 The first time that the US government used force to shut down its own people.

 Government proved that it would not be pushed around, and that they would

do whatever it takes to enforce laws.

o Jefferson was mad, saw the government as using excessive force.