1796-1824 First United States Political Parties: Federalists

Alexander Hamilton established the ideas of Federalism which would eventually become the backbone of the Republican party. Hamilton established the first federal banking system, and is very fittingly shown here on a ten dollar bill. He also established an elaborate and brilliant taxation process. He believed the strength of the nation relied on industrialization and the ability of the nation to collect revenue and support big business.

1796-1824 First United States Political Parties: Democratic-Republicans

Thomas Jefferson, shown here, established the first ideals of the Democratic-Republican party that would continue on as the Democratic party. His distrust of banks and those who instilled debt upon others drove him away from supporting big business. He also vehemently supported the separation of church and state, in order to guarantee equal treatment of all. He believed that the strength of the nation relied in the support of the people and the support of equal rights. His election in 1801 marked the first peaceful shift of power in a modern republic.

1828 -1856 Jacksonian Democracy and the Whigs

Andrew Jackson lead the United States through a time of self made entrepreneurship and what would later be called Jacksonian Democracy. Jackson, shown here, won the Presidency as a Democratic-Republican, the only surviving party at the time, and served as President from 1829 to 1837. He was known for his tough anti-elite and pro-agrarian philosophy. Jackson supported a strong central government for the sake of the Union. He skillfully handled the South Carolina nullification crisis, where an individual state tried to veto a federal law, and is credited with being the first President to wield his power successfully. Not everyone appreciated a strong executive branch. The Whig party wanted a powerful congress and arose in opposition to Jacksonian Democracy, planting the seeds that would become a two party system.

The Elections of 1860 and 1896 and Republicanism

The Republican party rose to power during the mid 1800s with the election of Abraham Lincoln, the first Republican President. Lincoln successfully lead the United States through its worst internal conflict to date, the Civil War. As an outspoken opponent of slavery, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863. Lincoln emphasized a Republican Government which followed the main points of the Declaration of Independence, freedom for all. Lincoln was unfortunately assassinated during his term. The Republicans maintained control of the government through the 1800s, with the election of William McKinley, also marking the beginning of what historians call the Progressive Era. McKinley was unfortunately also assassinated. Theodore Roosevelt took his place and the Republicans dominated the political environment for the next thirty years. The party lost control during the stock market crash of 1929 when the nation realized that big business was not protecting them as individuals.

1932-1964 New Deal Politics and Democrats

The democratic party enjoyed an era of political control, practically dominating the political environment from the Great Depression Era of the 1930s through the 1960s. During the Depression, Franklin Roosevelt promised a New Deal for the country, passing numerous anti-depression measures which pulled the nation out of economic turmoil. He was extremely popular and is the only President to have served more than two terms. He is famous for his economic recovery plans such as the Works Project Administration. He is known for his modern American liberalism and his ability to carry the nation through economic turmoil and war.