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Federalists favored the ratification of the Constitution, which in turn allowed the state and national government to share power.
Anti-Federalists opposed the sharing of this power and preferred a much weaker national government. -
The Democratic-Republicans believed the Constitution should be a strict document that severely limits the national government. They were unopposed in government until mid 1820's.
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Jacksonian democracy is the political movement towards greater democracy for the common man formed by Andrew Jackson and his followers.
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The democrats were crippled by the war. The Republicans rose up and took their place for the next 75 years.
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The Great Depression led to a change in the political landscape. In 1932, Franklin Roosevelt, a democrat, was elected to presidency. The party focused mainly on social welfare and economic progress.
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Ever since 1968, the government was not characterized by either party, consistently holding a power-divided government. Modern republicans adhere to tradition. They believe taxes should not be increased. Military spending should be increased. Republicans believe in individual rights and that justice should rule supreme.
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Democrats are liberal, open to change. They believe in a minimum wage and progressive taxation. They want to decrease military spending and they support the legalization of abortion. They believe in community and that people should be socially responsible.
