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Constitutional Convention
During The Constitutional Convention and the ratification of the constitution, discrepancies emerged between those who had federalist views and those who had Anti-Federalist views. The Federalist were led by Alexander Hamilton who was Secretary of Treasury and wanted a strong central government. Then the Anti-Federalists were led by Thomas Jefferson who was Secretary of State and advocated for states rights. -
Election of 1788-1789
George Washington was elected unanimously for two terms as the first President of The United States. He was non-partisan as he did not believe strong political parties, or political parties in general, because he thought they were not good for the country
John Adams was the first Vice President of The United States and was a part of the Federalist party, which held views that were mostly opposed to those of Washington. -
John Adams Elected as Second President
John Adams was elected as the second president of the United States, and a member of the Federalist Party he supported a greater amount of power in the hands of the well educated and wealthy classes. He was also a key influence of The Federalist Papers which explained The Constitution to the American people.
In opposition to said Federalists was Anti-Federalist who believed that the vast majority of ordinary, less educated people had the skills and common sense required to run the government. -
Republicans
The Anti-Federalists were renamed the Republican Party which showed their support of Republicanism ideals, such as states rights and a strict interpretation of the Constitution. The Federalists tried to name the Republican Party the Democratic Republicans to represent the extreme actions taken in the name of democracy during The French Revolution. Unexpectedly, the Jeffersonian Republicans came to embrace the strong anti-monarchist sentiments of the French and the name stuck. -
Election of 1800
The leader of the recently named Democratic Republican Party, Thomas Jefferson, won the Election of 1800 against Federalist John Adams and became the third President of the United States. Alexander Hamilton helped secure the presidency for Jefferson, seeing him as the lesser of two evils in comparison to Aaron Burr. This election was a crucial moment in American democracy since it was the first peaceful exchange of power between two parties. -
"Mr. Madison's War"
The War of 1812 was between The United States and Great Britain. It began because of conflicts such as the arming of Indians by the British, British attempts to strict U.S. trade, the Royal Navy's impressment of American sailors, and America's desire to expand its territory. The War Hawks played a key role in pushing for the war. -
Fall of the Federalist Party
As the Democratic-Republicans' power, support, and recognition increased, the Federalists held their opposing views and shared/expressed their disapproval of Madison's administration and the War of 1812 through secret meetings at the Hartford Convention. Their fall was sealed by lost support caused by the American victory in the end of the War of 1812. -
Era of Good Feelings
The Federalist could no longer campaign for a presidential candidate, therefore Democratic Republican James Monroe won the re-election without opposition, beginning The Era of Good Feelings. -
Election of 1824
The Democratic-Republican party split into four separate factions led by presidential candidates Andrew Jackson, William Crawford, Henry Clay, John Quincy Adams. Andrew Jackson won the most votes bit no candidate won the majority of the electoral college, causing the election to go to the House of Representatives, which chose John Quincy Adams. -
National Republicans
As Andrew Jackson gained support and was elected president, supporters of John Quincy Adams began calling themselves National Republicans. They wanted a strong central government that would promote commerce and support internal improvements. -
Election of 1828
Supporters of Andrew Jackson started calling themselves Democrats by 1828 (starting the Democratic party). In the same year, Jackson was elected president and upheld his supporters views including want for small government, opposition to trade protection, national banks, and paper money. -
The Anti-Masonic Party
In New York and New England people who feared the role of Freemasons in government and opposed Jackson created and organized the Anti-Masonic Party. They were the first third party in The United States, and they held the first presidential nominating convention in The United States. -
Election of 1832
Democratic president Andrew Jackson easily won re-election despite the steadfast opposition from the National Republican Party and the Anti-Masonic Party, winning 219 of the 287 electoral votes cast. -
The Whig Party
The National Republicans adopted the name Whig Party, after the British liberal party of the same name, as they wanted reform. It was founded by Henry Clay and Daniel Webster, and it gained many supporters from their own previous party as well as the Anti-Masonic Party. -
Election of 1836
Democratic candidate Martin Van Buren defeated all four of the Whig Party candidates including Daniel Webster, Hue Lawsen White, Willy Person Magnum, and leading William Henry Harrison while in the running for president. -
The Panic of 1837
This panic was a financial crisis caused by previous president Jackson's policies including the executive order creation of the Specie Circular, and his refusal to renew the charter of The Second Bank of The United States. His actions led to government funds being withdrawn from the bank and eventually plummeting profits, prices, and wages as well as skyrocketing unemployment during the 1837 Panic. The pessimism of the time caused Martin Van Buren and The Democratic Party to lose popularity. -
Election of 1840
After the Democratic Party lost the support of electors and their president was given the nickname "Martin Van Ruin", the Whig Party gathered much support. Despite Van Buren's fight for re-election against economic depression, the Whigs managed to win, unified by their war hero William Henry Harrison. Harrison became well known as the victorious Major General Harrison in the Battle of Tippecanoe, which was acknowledged by The Whigs through the slogan, "Tippecanoe and Tyler, too!".
