Democratic-Republican Party History

  • Democratic-Republican Party Created

    First political party in the U.S. How it was founded:
    - Washington's in charge
    - former anti-Federalists and federalists had a disagreement over how the country would be run
    - Thomas Jefferson runs for president and gains a lot of supporters
    - these followers became known as "Democratic-Republicans"
  • Period: to

    Era of Good Feelings

    Democratic-Republican party was without opposition during this time In Office:
    • Thomas Jefferson (1801-09)
    • James Madison (1809-17)
    • James Monroe (1817-25)
  • Factions within the Party Collide

    Leaders of the two major factions (Andrew Jackson and John Quincy Adams) are nominated for presidency.
    • Jackson gained popular vote, but no electoral vote majority was given
    • House of Representatives chose the president- favored Adams.
  • Democratic-Republican Party Splits

    The Party splits into two factions: National Republicans (later becoming the Whig Party) and itself. National Republicans are led by Adams. Democratic-Republicans are led by Jackson.
  • Officially adopt the name "Democrat"

    • begin calling themselves Democrat during Jackson's presidency (1829-37) and stick with it.