Political parties.

Democratic- Republican Party Formed

Jan 1, 1792

Democratic-Republican PartyFormed by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison in opposition to ideas of the Federalist Party.

]Federalist Party formed

Jan 1, 1792

Alexander Hamilton formed the Federalist Party in 1792. Ironically he co-wrote federalist papers warning about the dangers of factions.

Jefferson Resignation

Dec 31, 1793

Dissatisfied with President George Washington's foreign and domestic policies, Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson resigns. This split will lead to the growth of the first American political parties.

George Washington's Farewell Address

Sep 19, 1796

In his Farewell Address, George Washington condemns the growing partisan spirit that "agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection."

Alien and Sedition Acts

Jan 1, 1798

The Alien and Sedition Acts were four bills passed in 1798 by the Federalists in the 5th United States Congress in the aftermath of the French Revolution and during an undeclared naval war with France, later known as the Quasi-War.

John Adams negotiates with France

Jan 1, 1799

When Adams opened negotiations with France in 1799 and reorganized the cabinet under his own control, the Hamiltonians broke with him. His actions probably enhanced the Federalist party's position in the presidential election of 1800 but not enough to defeat Jefferson.

Opposition to Louisiana Purchase

Jan 1, 1803

The federalists opposed Jefferson's popular Louisiana Purchase of 1803 as too costly and destructive of Northern influence. As a result, they continued to lose power at the national level, carrying only Connecticut, Delaware, and part of Maryland against Jefferson in 1804.

Embargo Act of 1807

Dec 22, 1807

The Embargo Act of 1807 was a general embargo enacted by the United States Congress against Great Britain and France during the Napoleonic Wars.

War of 1812

Jan 1, 1812

The War of 1812 was a 32-month military conflict between the United States and the British Empire and their Indian allies which resulted in no territorial change between the Empire and the US, but a resolution of many issues which remained from the American War of Independence. It proved so unpopular in the North that in the elections that year, New York and New Jersey also voted Federalist, along with the remainder of Maryland.

Party Dissovled

Jan 1, 1829

The party suffered since 1814 and found it hard to gain any power, but it formally dissolved in 1829.