Democratic-Republican Party: Difference between revisions
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The “'''Democratic-Republican Party'''” |
The “'''Democratic-Republican Party'''” was one of the first two [[United States|American]] [[political party|political parties]] during the [[First Party System]] (1792–1824). Originally referred to as simply the “Republican Party”, in 1798 members adopted the name “Democratic-Republican Party”. Members are referred to as "Republicans" or “Jeffersonian Republicans” (to distinguish them from members of the modern-day [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]]). In the late 1820s, along with some ex-[[Federalist Party (United States)|Federalists]], Democratic-Republican-Party supporters of [[Andrew Jackson]], led by [[Martin Van Buren]], organized themselves into what is known today as the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]]. |
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== History == |
== History == |
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The Republican Party evolved from the political factions that opposed [[Alexander Hamilton|Alexander Hamilton's]] [[Hamiltonian economic program|fiscal policies]] in the early 1790s; these factions are known variously as the [[Anti-Administration Party (United States)|Anti-Administration “Party”]] or the [[Anti-Federalism|Anti-Federalists]]. In the mid-[[1790s]], [[Thomas Jefferson]] and [[James Madison]] organized these factions into a party and helped define its ideology in favor of yeomen farmers, strict construction of the Constitution, and a weaker federal government. They named it the Republican Party. |
The Republican Party evolved from the political factions that opposed [[Alexander Hamilton|Alexander Hamilton's]] [[Hamiltonian economic program|fiscal policies]] in the early 1790s; these factions are known variously as the [[Anti-Administration Party (United States)|Anti-Administration “Party”]] or the [[Anti-Federalism|Anti-Federalists]]. In the mid-[[1790s]], [[Thomas Jefferson]] and [[James Madison]] organized these factions into a party and helped define its ideology in favor of yeomen farmers, strict construction of the Constitution, and a weaker federal government. They named it the Republican Party. The [[Democratic-Republican Societies]] that sprang up across the country in 1793–94 were not officially affiliated with the new party, but unofficially many local Jeffersonian leaders were also leaders in the societies. The new Republican party was especially effective in building up a network of newspapers in every major city that broadcast its statements and editorialized in its favor. |
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In [[U.S. presidential election, 1796|1796]], the Republicans made their first bid for the [[President of the United States|Presidency]] with Jefferson as their Presidential candidate and [[Aaron Burr]] as the Vice Presidential candidate. Jefferson came in second in the [[electoral college]] and became Vice President. He was a consistent and strong opponent of the policies of the [[John Adams|Adams]] administration. Jefferson and Madison, through the [[Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions]] announced the “Principles of 1798”, which became the hallmark of the party. Most important were states' rights, opposition to strong national government, hostility toward federal courts, and opposition to a [[Navy]] and a [[National Bank]]. The Republicans saw themselves as the true champions of republicanism, and their opponents as favoring aristocracy rather than rule by the people. |
In [[U.S. presidential election, 1796|1796]], the Republicans made their first bid for the [[President of the United States|Presidency]] with Jefferson as their Presidential candidate and [[Aaron Burr]] as the Vice Presidential candidate. Jefferson came in second in the [[electoral college]] and became Vice President. He was a consistent and strong opponent of the policies of the [[John Adams|Adams]] administration. Jefferson and Madison, through the [[Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions]] announced the “Principles of 1798”, which became the hallmark of the party. Most important were states' rights, opposition to strong national government, hostility toward federal courts, and opposition to a [[Navy]] and a [[National Bank]]. The Republicans saw themselves as the true champions of republicanism, and their opponents as favoring aristocracy rather than rule by the people. |
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This left the Republican Party as the sole national party, ushering in a brief hiatus from the standard political rhetoric known as the [[Era of Good Feeling]]. The party had always defined itself nationally by the caucus which choose presidential candidates. That causus was not used after [[U.S. presidential election, 1816|1816]], so the party as a national institution ceased to exist. [[James Monroe]] ran as a Republican in [[U.S. presidential election, 1820|1820]] (without a caucus), and in [[U.S. presidential election, 1824|1824]] there was no party nominee. |
This left the Republican Party as the sole national party, ushering in a brief hiatus from the standard political rhetoric known as the [[Era of Good Feeling]]. The party had always defined itself nationally by the caucus which choose presidential candidates. That causus was not used after [[U.S. presidential election, 1816|1816]], so the party as a national institution ceased to exist. [[James Monroe]] ran as a Republican in [[U.S. presidential election, 1820|1820]] (without a caucus), and in [[U.S. presidential election, 1824|1824]] there was no party nominee. |
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| ⚫ | The stature of the presidents who identified themselves with the Republican Party during its heyday makes it an enviable institution for modern political parties to identify themselves with. Both major political parties today attempt to identify themselves with old Republican Party presidents. Democrats emphasize the anti-elitism of the early party; Republicans emphasize its belief in states rights. However, only the Democratic Party has a direct link to original Democratic-Republican Party, and indeed the party notes on its official website that it was founded in 1792 by Thomas Jefferson.[http://www.democrats.org/a/2005/06/landmark_dates.php] The Democratic Party is often called "the party of Jefferson"; whereas the Republican Party, which was founded in 1854, is called "the party of Lincoln." |
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== Republican presidents == |
== Republican presidents == |
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* <sup>(a)</sup> ''Jefferson did not win the Presidency, and Burr did not win the Vice Presidency. However, under the pre-[[Twelfth Amendment to the United States Constitution|12th Amendment]] election rules, Jefferson won the Vice Presidency.'' |
* <sup>(a)</sup> ''Jefferson did not win the Presidency, and Burr did not win the Vice Presidency. However, under the pre-[[Twelfth Amendment to the United States Constitution|12th Amendment]] election rules, Jefferson won the Vice Presidency.'' |
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* <sup>(b)</sup> ''There was no organized opposition to the Republican Party; however, the party splintered, and four major candidates ran as Republicans. Adams won the Presidency and Calhoun the Vice Presidency.'' |
* <sup>(b)</sup> ''There was no organized opposition to the Republican Party; however, the party splintered, and four major candidates ran as Republicans. Adams won the Presidency and Calhoun the Vice Presidency.'' |
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| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | The stature of the presidents who identified themselves with the Republican Party during its heyday makes it an enviable institution for modern political parties to identify themselves with. Both major political parties today attempt to identify themselves with old Republican Party presidents. Democrats emphasize the anti-elitism of the early party; Republicans emphasize its belief in states rights. However, only the Democratic Party has a direct link to original Democratic-Republican Party, and indeed the party notes on its official website that it was founded in 1792 by Thomas Jefferson.[http://www.democrats.org/a/2005/06/landmark_dates.php] The Democratic Party is often called "the party of Jefferson"; whereas the Republican Party, which was founded in 1854, is called "the party of Lincoln." |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 02:38, 22 January 2006
 | This article's factual accuracy is disputed. |
The “Democratic-Republican Party” was one of the first two American political parties during the First Party System (1792–1824). Originally referred to as simply the “Republican Party”, in 1798 members adopted the name “Democratic-Republican Party”. Members are referred to as "Republicans" or “Jeffersonian Republicans” (to distinguish them from members of the modern-day Republican Party). In the late 1820s, along with some ex-Federalists, Democratic-Republican-Party supporters of Andrew Jackson, led by Martin Van Buren, organized themselves into what is known today as the Democratic Party.
History
The Republican Party evolved from the political factions that opposed Alexander Hamilton's fiscal policies in the early 1790s; these factions are known variously as the Anti-Administration “Party” or the Anti-Federalists. In the mid-1790s, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison organized these factions into a party and helped define its ideology in favor of yeomen farmers, strict construction of the Constitution, and a weaker federal government. They named it the Republican Party. The Democratic-Republican Societies that sprang up across the country in 1793–94 were not officially affiliated with the new party, but unofficially many local Jeffersonian leaders were also leaders in the societies. The new Republican party was especially effective in building up a network of newspapers in every major city that broadcast its statements and editorialized in its favor.
In 1796, the Republicans made their first bid for the Presidency with Jefferson as their Presidential candidate and Aaron Burr as the Vice Presidential candidate. Jefferson came in second in the electoral college and became Vice President. He was a consistent and strong opponent of the policies of the Adams administration. Jefferson and Madison, through the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions announced the “Principles of 1798”, which became the hallmark of the party. Most important were states' rights, opposition to strong national government, hostility toward federal courts, and opposition to a Navy and a National Bank. The Republicans saw themselves as the true champions of republicanism, and their opponents as favoring aristocracy rather than rule by the people.
The breakthrough occurred in 1800. In what Jefferson called the “Revolution of 1800”, the Republicans took control of the Presidency and both houses of Congress, beginning a quarter century of control of those institutions. The opposition Federalists, suffering from a lack of leadership after the death of Hamilton and the retirement of Adams, slowly declined over the next fifteen years until the Hartford Convention of 1815 utterly destroyed it as a political force. A faction called “Old Republicans” opposed the nationalism that grew popular after 1815, and were stunned when party leaders started a Second Bank of the United States.
This left the Republican Party as the sole national party, ushering in a brief hiatus from the standard political rhetoric known as the Era of Good Feeling. The party had always defined itself nationally by the caucus which choose presidential candidates. That causus was not used after 1816, so the party as a national institution ceased to exist. James Monroe ran as a Republican in 1820 (without a caucus), and in 1824 there was no party nominee.
Modern claims to Democratic-Republican heritage
The stature of the presidents who identified themselves with the Republican Party during its heyday makes it an enviable institution for modern political parties to identify themselves with. Both major political parties today attempt to identify themselves with old Republican Party presidents. Democrats emphasize the anti-elitism of the early party; Republicans emphasize its belief in states rights. However, only the Democratic Party has a direct link to original Democratic-Republican Party, and indeed the party notes on its official website that it was founded in 1792 by Thomas Jefferson.[1] The Democratic Party is often called "the party of Jefferson"; whereas the Republican Party, which was founded in 1854, is called "the party of Lincoln."
Republican presidents
The following United States Presidents were members of the Democratic-Republican party:
- Thomas Jefferson (1801–1809)
- James Madison (1809–1817)
- James Monroe (1817–1825)
- John Quincy Adams (1825–1829)
Candidates
| Election year | Result | Nominees | |
|---|---|---|---|
| President | Vice President | ||
| 1792 | lost | (none) | George Clinton |
| 1796 | lost(a) | Thomas Jefferson | Aaron Burr |
| 1800 | won | ||
| 1804 | won | George Clinton | |
| 1812 | won | Elbridge Gerry | |
| 1816 | won | James Monroe | Daniel Tompkins |
| 1820 | won | ||
| 1824 | lost won(b) lost lost |
Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams, William H. Crawford, Henry Clay |
John C. Calhoun |
- (a) Jefferson did not win the Presidency, and Burr did not win the Vice Presidency. However, under the pre-12th Amendment election rules, Jefferson won the Vice Presidency.
- (b) There was no organized opposition to the Republican Party; however, the party splintered, and four major candidates ran as Republicans. Adams won the Presidency and Calhoun the Vice Presidency.
See also
References
- Banning, Lance. The Jeffersonian Persuasion: Evolution of a Party Ideology (1980)
- Beeman, Richard R. The Old Dominion and the New Nation, 1788-1801 (1972)
- Beard, Charles A. Economic Origins of Jeffersonian Democracy (1915)
- Channing, Edward. The Jeffersonian System: 1801-1811 (1906) older but solid coverage of politics
- Cunningham, Noble E., Jr. Jeffersonian Republicans: The formation of Party Organization: 1789-1801 (1957)
- Cunningham, Noble E., Jr. '"The Making of the American Party System 1789 to 1809 (1965)
- Cunningham, Noble E., Jr. The Jeffersonian Republicans in Power: Party Operations 1801-1809 (1963)
- Elkins, Stanley M. and Eric McKitrick. The Age of Federalism (1995), best on 1790s
- Gilpatrick, Delbert Harold. Jeffersonian Democracy in North Carolina, 1789-1816 (1931)
- Goodman, Paul. The Democratic-Republicans of Massachusetts (1964)
- Humphrey, Carol Sue The Press of the Young Republic, 1783-1833 (1996)
- Kelley, Robert. The Cultural Pattern in American Politics: The First Century (1979)
- Pasley, Jeffrey L. et al eds. Beyond the Founders: New Approaches to the Political History of the Early American Republic (2004), essays by scholars
- Prince, Carl E. New Jersey’s Jeffersonian Republicans: The Genesis of an Early Party Machine, 1789-1817 (1967)
- Rutland, Robert A., ed. James Madison and the American Nation, 1751-1836: An Encyclopedia. (1994)
- Schachner, Nathan. Aaron Burr: A Biography (1961)
- Sharp, James Roger. American Politics in the Early Republic: The New Nation in Crisis (1993)
- Smelser, Marshall. The Democratic Republic 1801-1815 (1968).*
- Stewart, Donald H. The Opposition Press of the Federalist Era (1968), highky detailed accounbt of Republican newspapers in 1790s
- Tinkcom, Harry M. The Republicans and Federalists in Pennsylvania, 1790–1801 (1950)
- Watkins, William. Reclaiming the American Revolution: The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions and Their Legacy (2004)
- Wiltse, Charles Maurice. The Jeffersonian Tradition in American Democracy (19325)
- Wilentz, Wilentz. The Rise of American Democracy: Jefferson to Lincoln (2005)
- Young, Alfred F. The Democratic Republicans of New York: The Origins, 1763–1797 (1967),
External link
- Democratic-Republican Party, Encyclopaedia Britannica Profile on the American Presidency.