Founding Party Ideologies and Early American Politics

The Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton, favored a strong central government. In contrast, the Democratic-Republicans, steered by Thomas Jefferson, advocated for states' rights and a limited federal government.

Federalists supported a commercial economy, centralized banking, and tariffs. Meanwhile, Democratic-Republicans preferred an agrarian society and feared that a strong economy would threaten the republic's values.

During the French Revolution, Federalists backed Britain for economic stability, while Democratic-Republicans favored revolutionary France, sympathizing with its fight against monarchy.

Federalists advocated for a loose interpretation of the Constitution, allowing for implied powers. Democratic-Republicans insisted on a strict interpretation, limiting the federal government's powers to those explicitly stated.

Federalist supporters were typically coastal, urban, and from the upper classes, while Democratic-Republicans found their base among southern and western rural farmers.

The Federalists established a lasting impact by creating a strong federal judiciary, epitomized by the landmark case Marbury v. Madison, which established judicial review.

The Federalist Party declined post-1812, unable to adapt to America's changing demographics. Their vision, however, shaped the national bank, U.S. economy and legal system.