Presidential Elections & Partisan Politics First Party System Democratic-Republicans vs. Federalists Year Candidates Winner Significance Thomas Jefferson Thomas In the 1790s 1800 George Washington’s cabinet was divided by two political factions. The Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton, (Democratic Jefferson (DR) favored a powerful central government, while the Democratic Republican) Republicans, led by Thomas Jefferson, wanted to reserve most powers for the states. John Adams Nearing the completion of two terms as president, Washington (Federalist) stepped aside as a highly partisan election unfolded in 1796. Federalist John Adams won the election, but due to the nature of the electoral college before the passage of the 12th Amendment, runner-up Thomas Jefferson became vice president. Adams and Jefferson in the White remained at odds throughout Adams’ time House. Four years later, in the of Jefferson defeated “Revolution 1800,” Adams, resulting in the first transfer of power from one political party to another. Nevertheless, Adams attempted to maintain Federalist control over the judiciary by appointing in the last days of his presidency, leading to “midnight judges” the case of Marbury v. Madison. As president, Jefferson actually continued many Federalist economic policies, though he ended the whisky tax which harmed farmers. James Monroe James Monroe After the end of the War of 1812, the Federalist Party was 1816 rapidly fading. (National Republican) (NR) The old Democratic Republican Party changed its name to the National Republican Party because of its national rather than – sectional and the fact that it had adopted many –appeal or Federalist economic policies. “nationalist” – – time in office was called the of Monroe’s “Era Good Feelings.” He easily won the election of 1816 and ran unopposed in 1820. John Q. Adams John Q. In the non-partisan election of 1824, Jackson won a plurality of 1824 the popular vote, but with the vote split between three major (National Republican) Adams (NR) candidates, no single candidate won an electoral majority. Andrew Jackson The results of the election were ultimately decided by Congress. (National Republican) Adams and Clay who both despised Jackson cut a deal: – – Adams became president and appointed Clay as Secretary of State. Henry Clay (National Republican) Jackson called the outcome of the election a “corrupt bargain.” Anger over the election ended of the Era of Good Feelings and signaled the beginning of the second party system. Second Party System
Presidential Elections & Partisan Politics First Party System Democratic-Republicans vs. Federalists Year Candidates Winner Significance 1800 Thomas Jefferson (Democratic Republican) John Adams (Federalist) Thomas Jefferson (DR) In the 1790s George Washington’s cabinet was divided by two political factions. The Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton, favored a powerful central government, while the Democratic Republicans, led by Thomas Jefferson, wanted to reserve most powers for the states. Nearing the completion of two terms as president, Washington stepped aside as a highly partisan election unfolded in 1796. Federalist John Adams won the election, but due to the nature of the electoral college before the passage of the 12th Amendment, runner-up Thomas Jefferson became vice president. Adams and Jefferson remained at odds throughout Adams’ time in the White House. Four years later, in the “Revolution of 1800,” Jefferson defeated Adams, resulting in the first transfer of power from one political party to another. Nevertheless, Adams attempted to maintain Federalist control over the judiciary by appointing “midnight judges” in the last days of his presidency, leading to the case of Marbury v. Madison. As president, Jefferson actually continued many Federalist economic policies, though he ended the whisky tax which harmed farmers. 1816 James Monroe (National Republican) James Monroe (NR) After the end of the War of 1812, the Federalist Party was rapidly fading. The old Democratic Republican Party changed its name to the National Republican Party because of its national – rather than sectional –appeal and the fact that it had adopted many “nationalist” – or Federalist – economic policies. Monroe’s time in office was called the “Era of Good Feelings.” He easily won the election of 1816 and ran unopposed in 1820. 1824 John Q. Adams (National Republican) Andrew Jackson (National Republican) Henry Clay (National Republican) John Q. Adams (NR) In the non-partisan election of 1824, Jackson won a plurality of the popular vote, but with the vote split between three major candidates, no single candidate won an electoral majority. The results of the election were ultimately decided by Congress. Adams and Clay – who both despised Jackson – cut a deal: Adams became president and appointed Clay as Secretary of State. Jackson called the outcome of the election a “corrupt bargain.” Anger over the election ended of the Era of Good Feelings and signaled the beginning of the second party system. Second Party System
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