Anglais cours premier semestre 5

Chapter 2 : Political parties

A- A few introductory remarks
It was not an idea that appeal to the early Americans citizen. Many of the original federalist ignored sectional differences, and claim they only supported the constitution. The recent instability, and the fact that of course people were afraid of a drift toward anarchy or a return to monarchy. Many people included the federalist were afraid of the idea of the nation splitting up. This dread was fuelled by the prospect of rising anarchy, and may result in a backslash . So this is the frame of mind of the Federalist.

B- The federalist
Many Americans were hostile against Alexander Hamilton’s economics programs b/c his decision often cause division between the North and the South, but also division between the upper and low social class. The opposition to Federalism was a major motive to create political parties. The followers of Hamilton were capitalistic, urban people, well educated. This bourgeoisie formed the backbone of the Federalist party. Although they were brilliant people, they had not the common touch. They proved uncomfortable in the sweaty world of parties politics. Far from the common man, formed a sort of privileged coterie of people, and rather aristocratic figure. They represented the alliance between business and authority. They wanted a strong authority based on a bedrock of fiscal responsibilities and balances. Hamilton was the leader of the Federalist advocated strong authority and détente with Great Britain. With Hamilton and the Federalist, a close affinity formed between business and strong federal power. He championed import duties, and excise taxes (indirect taxes on goods on sale within a country). The federal government credit was build and maintain, and there was a large number of federators who became rich, and a strong alliance between the wealthy and political circles. People who backed Hamilton were very suspicious of the mob, common people. They favored an interpretation of the constitution which stretch the power of federal government. The Federalist are called, loose constructionists (ready to exploit the elastic close). In New England an in the middle states. Not many, but extremely wealthy and well organized. They believed the upper classes should rule that power should be kept by the rich, the well-born, and the able (Adams). Afraid of too much democracy, they hoped to keep political power out of the hands of common man.

C- The Rise of the Republican party
The other strong man is Thomas Jefferson. He became the leader of the Americans against Hamilton political strategy. They were nostalgic of the Confederation. The constitution did not provide for political parties. And Jefferson himself don’t like parties. He wrote” If I could not go to heaven but with a party, I would rather not go at all”. He became closed up with the party. He didn’t set up the party. The party was created by democratic clubs around 1774. They had democratic tendencies, defend the interest of rural people. They put pressing to the Federal party, to have a more favorable attitude towards revolutionary France and a less merchant domestic policy. Whom did the Republicans appealed to ? The farmers, Craftsmen, workers, geographically speaking the South and the West. Policy speaking, eager to limit the power of the federal government, and strongly in favor of the states retaining the more power possible. They despite Hamilton use of the elastic close to stretch the federal power. They followed the constitution by the book. Washington was against elected in 1792. The Federalist supported Washington and the Republicans supported George Clinton. The House of the Representative was majority in favor of the Federalist but Clinton got 3 States. The ideal of Washington : a nation without parties never materialized and it gave birth to a 2 party systems. The existence of 2 rival party was better for the growth of a party with diverges interest. Needed to have plurality.