APUSH: Period 3, 1754-1800 - Development of American Political Parties, Federalists vs Democratic-Republicans

Why This Matters

The development of American political parties, particularly the Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans, is crucial for understanding the early years of the United States. This period marked a significant shift from the loose alliance of the Articles of Confederation to a more centralized government, reflecting the AP theme of Politics and Power. The emergence of these two parties would shape the country's politics, policies, and identity, influencing the course of American history.

Key Events & People

• Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804): A key Federalist leader who advocated for a strong central government and a national bank. He played a crucial role in shaping the country's financial system.
• Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826): The primary leader of the Democratic-Republicans, who believed in limited government and individual liberties. He was a strong advocate for states' rights and the Louisiana Purchase.
• The Whiskey Rebellion (1791-1794): A tax protest in western Pennsylvania that tested the federal government's authority, ultimately leading to the establishment of a stronger central government.
• The Alien and Sedition Acts (1798): A series of laws passed by the Federalist-controlled Congress that restricted civil liberties and targeted immigrants and critics of the government.
• The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions (1798-1799): A response to the Alien and Sedition Acts by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, arguing that states had the right to nullify federal laws they deemed unconstitutional.
• The XYZ Affair (1797-1798): A diplomatic incident with France that led to a shift in public opinion against the Democratic-Republicans and in favor of the Federalists.
• The Jay Treaty (1794-1795): A treaty with Great Britain that resolved outstanding issues from the American Revolution, but was criticized by the Democratic-Republicans for its perceived favoritism towards Britain.
• George Washington's Farewell Address (1796): A speech in which Washington warned against the dangers of partisanship and the importance of national unity.
• John Adams' Alien and Sedition Acts (1798): The president's signing of the Alien and Sedition Acts, which further polarized the country and led to the rise of the Democratic-Republicans.

Cause & Effect Chain

• Cause: The Federalists' emphasis on a strong central government and the Democratic-Republicans' advocacy for states' rights and limited government.
• Effect: The Alien and Sedition Acts, which restricted civil liberties and targeted immigrants and critics of the government.

• Long-term consequence: The Alien and Sedition Acts contributed to the growing polarization of the country and the eventual rise of the Democratic-Republicans.

• Cause: The XYZ Affair and the Jay Treaty, which led to a shift in public opinion against the Democratic-Republicans.

• Effect: The Federalists' increased popularity and the Democratic-Republicans' decline.

• Long-term consequence: The Federalists' dominance of the government, which led to the passage of the Alien and Sedition Acts.

• Cause: The Whiskey Rebellion, which tested the federal government's authority.

• Effect: The establishment of a stronger central government and the passage of the Tariff Act of 1790.
• Long-term consequence: The federal government's increased power and the decline of the Articles of Confederation.

Essential Vocabulary

• Federalist: A supporter of a strong central government and a loose interpretation of the Constitution.
• Democratic-Republican: A supporter of limited government and states' rights, and a strict interpretation of the Constitution.
• Alien and Sedition Acts: A series of laws passed by the Federalist-controlled Congress that restricted civil liberties and targeted immigrants and critics of the government.
• Nullification: The doctrine that states have the right to nullify federal laws they deem unconstitutional.
• Partisanship: The tendency to identify with and support a particular political party or ideology.
• National unity: The idea that the country should be united under a single government and set of laws.
• States' rights: The idea that states have the right to govern themselves and make their own decisions.
• Limited government: The idea that the government should have limited powers and not interfere with individual liberties.
• Loose interpretation: The idea that the Constitution should be interpreted in a way that allows for flexibility and adaptability.
• Strict interpretation: The idea that the Constitution should be interpreted in a way that is literal and unchanging.

Common Student Mistakes

• What students often get wrong: The Alien and Sedition Acts were passed by the Democratic-Republicans.
• Correction: The Alien and Sedition Acts were passed by the Federalist-controlled Congress in 1798.

• Memory trick: Remember that the Federalists were in power during the Alien and Sedition Acts, and that they were a response to the XYZ Affair and the Jay Treaty.

• What students often get wrong: The Whiskey Rebellion was a response to the Democratic-Republicans' policies.

• Correction: The Whiskey Rebellion was a tax protest in western Pennsylvania that tested the federal government's authority, and was ultimately put down by the Federalists.

• Memory trick: Remember that the Whiskey Rebellion was a test of the federal government's authority, and that it led to the establishment of a stronger central government.

• What students often get wrong: The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions were a response to the Federalists' policies.

• Correction: The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions were a response to the Alien and Sedition Acts by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, arguing that states had the right to nullify federal laws they deemed unconstitutional.
• Memory trick: Remember that the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions were a response to the Alien and Sedition Acts, and that they argued for states' rights and limited government.

DBQ / LEQ Connections

• Possible essay prompt: Analyze the role of the Alien and Sedition Acts in the development of American political parties. Be sure to include specific evidence from the period, such as the XYZ Affair and the Jay Treaty.
• Specific pieces of evidence: The Alien and Sedition Acts, the XYZ Affair, the Jay Treaty, George Washington's Farewell Address, and the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions.
• Possible essay prompt: Evaluate the impact of the Whiskey Rebellion on the development of the federal government. Be sure to include specific evidence from the period, such as the Tariff Act of 1790 and the establishment of a stronger central government.
• Specific pieces of evidence: The Whiskey Rebellion, the Tariff Act of 1790, the establishment of a stronger central government, and the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions.

Quick Self?Check

1. What was the main difference between the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans? Answer: The Federalists believed in a strong central government and a loose interpretation of the Constitution, while the Democratic-Republicans believed in limited government and states' rights.
2. What was the significance of the Whiskey Rebellion? Answer: The Whiskey Rebellion tested the federal government's authority and led to the establishment of a stronger central government.
3. What was the main argument of the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions? Answer: The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions argued that states had the right to nullify federal laws they deemed unconstitutional.

Last?Minute Cram Sheet

• The Federalists were in power from 1789-1801.
• The Democratic-Republicans were in power from 1801-1829.
• The Alien and Sedition Acts were passed in 1798.
• The Whiskey Rebellion was a tax protest in western Pennsylvania.
• The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions were written by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.
• George Washington's Farewell Address warned against the dangers of partisanship.
• The XYZ Affair led to a shift in public opinion against the Democratic-Republicans.
• The Jay Treaty resolved outstanding issues from the American Revolution.
• The Tariff Act of 1790 established a stronger central government.
• The Louisiana Purchase was a major achievement of the Democratic-Republicans.