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Compare And Contrast The Democrats And The Federalists

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After America broke away from England national unity in the United States has been threatened by many problems, economic, social, and political developments. Federalist and Jeffersonians had different views of how the government should be run. The Jeffersonian Republicans believed in strong state governments with a weak central government, and a strict interpretation of the Constitution while the Federalists saw it differently. Federalist emphasized a powerful central government with weaker state governments and a loose interpretation of the Constitution. These two factions would soon form the two political parties which are still in effect today. The Federalists were a powerful and wealthy party. Merchants, shippers, bankers, lawyers, and …show more content…

The Jeffersonians saw it differently; they wanted to keep their distance. During George Washington's presidency, the United States and Britain formed an alliance during the French Revolution. Foner states," … the United States guaranteed favored treatment to British imported goods. In effect, the treaty cancelled the American- French alliance." This shows that after signing Jay's treaty the Federalist emphasized commercial and diplomatic harmony with Britain. However, Jefferson passed the Embargo Act which banned American vessels from sailing to foreign ports. Unlike the Federalists who favored foreign trade, the Jeffersonian cut off trade which leads to a devastating effect on the economy of American port cities. The Jeffersonian favored reducing the size of the military but the Federalist believed a strong military was extremely important. Patrick Henry argues,"Some way or other we must be a great and mighty empire; we must have an army, and a navy." This suggests that Federalist wanted a large navy and army because it would show other nations that the United States is a powerful empire. Jefferson wanted to reduce the size of the military because he thinks that agrarian society had no need a large

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