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Independent Party
George Washington became the first president of the United States and because he wasn't associated with any political party, he is classified as an independent. -
Federalist Party
A new party emerges that is supported by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Adams. They believed that the new central government should contain the most power. -
Federalist Papers
Articles written by Hamilton and Madison that explained the Constitution and supported federalism. -
Anti-Federalist Party
A party led by Thomas Jefferson that was against federalism and believed the power should be given to the state governments. -
Republican Party
The Anti-Federalist party was renamed the Republican Party because their ideals reflected those of Republicanism. They supported states' rights and a strict interpretation of the Constitution. -
The Democratic-Republic Party/ Jeffersonian Republicans
The Federalists started calling the Republicans Democratic-Republicans to try and discredit them because of what was going on during the French Revolution in the name of democracy. Jeffersonian Republicans liked the strong anti-monarchist mindsets of the French, so the name stuck. -
Democratic-Republican Party
Thomas Jefferson, leader of the Democratic-Republican Party was elected president. -
Democratic-Republican Party
James Madison followed Jefferson's lead and became a leader of the Democratic-Republican Party. -
Fall of the Federalist Party
Federalists were bitter about the rising Democratic-Republican Party, and they held secret conventions to talk about their views on Madison's new leadership position and their opposition towards the War of 1812. Once the war was over, the Federalist Party dissolved, with people calling those involved in the secret conventions "traitors". -
Era of Good Feelings
Once the Federalist Party dissolved, there was only one political party (Democratic-Republicans). This led to peace in government during James Monroe's presidency, known as the "Era of Good Feelings". -
National Republican Party
The Democratic-Republican Party began to split into factions, and those under Adams and Clay's faction banded together to form the National Republican Party. They wished to build up the nation's resources, more specifically the defense after the war. -
End of Democratic-Republican Party
During John Quincy Adams presidency, the party split into northern-dominated Republicans and southern-dominated Democrats. -
Democrat Party
When Andrew Jackson was elected president, the Democratic-Republicans that followed him dropped the "Republican" and called themselves Democrats. -
Whig Party
The National Republicans changed their name to match the British liberal party because they also favored reform. -
Democrat Party
Due to the Panic of 1837, the president at the time, Martin Van Buren, was given the nickname "Martin Van Ruin", causing the Party to lose its popularity. -
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The Whig Party
The Whig Party achieved power through two different elected officials, but it was brief because both died in office. -
Fall of the Whig Party
The policies of Millard Fillmore led to a division in the party about slavery. The Free Soil Party was anti-slavery and due to the formation of these factions, the Whig Party was dissolved. -
National Union Party
It was a new party organized in opposition to slavery, and to further the beliefs of national interests above states' rights. -
National Union Party
Abraham Lincoln was the first president elected from the National Union Party, and after his death, the name was later changed to the Republican Party. -
Republican Party
After the Civil War, the Republicans dominated government for the next 75 years. -
Roosevelt Democrats
The Great Depression sparked a change in the political landscape, and Democrat Franklin Roosevelt was elected. Roosevelt Democrats were primarily southerners and small farmers that focused mainly on social welfare and economic programs. -
Period: to
Modern Democrats and Republicans
Democrats: liberal, decreased military spending, legal abortions, social responsibility, large central government.
Republicans: conservative, increased military spending, illegal abortions, small central government.