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Whigs and Tories
Whig is an old term for Scottish Presbyterians who where against the government. Tiry was originaly a name given to Irish Roman Catholics. The kings suporters where called Tories. -
Federalists
Hamilton and other leaders who wanted a strong centeral government banded together. They belived in a strong national government. Generaly leaned tward England. -
anti-Federalists
Anti-Federalists gathered around Jefferson. They wanted the goernment to leave them alone as much as possible. They also called themselves the Democratic-Republican party -
Democrats
Andrew Jackson, a Democratic-Republican was elected president, his party had great support in the south and west. He changed the party name to Democrats. People who at some point where Federalists joined with anti-Jackson Democrats which formed the Whig party. -
Know nothing party
Supporters of this party where ex- Democrats who didnt want Catholic immigrants coming into the United States. in 1856 this party started to get weaker. MOst members of this party joined to the Republicans. -
Republicans
Republicans where anti-slavery. in 1856 they ran their first presidential candidate, John C. Fremont. strong feelings tward anti-slavery helped get Abraham Lincoln get elected.