1. POLITICAL PARTIES
LESSON 16

2. Lesson Objectives
When you are finished with this lesson you should be able to:
Explain why the Framers opposed the idea of political parties.
Describe the other ideas that helped political parties to gain acceptance.
Summarize the conflicting points of view that led to the development of parties and the roles that political parties have played in the American Constitutional system.
Evaluate and defend positions on the importance of political parties today.

7. Factions and Parties
Madison argued the Constitutions would control factions.
Followed such reasoning as he wrote Federalist #10
David Hume, Scottish political philosopher: parties were inevitable
Edmund Burke, Ireland political thinker argued open opposition was a good thing. Avoided conspiracy and intrigue.
Fostered open debate
Alexander Hamilton Federalist #70 could promote thought and deliberation. That they could check the excesses of the majority. However, he was clear that once a decision was made it should cease.
Lack of familiarity of ongoing parties.

8. What led to political parties?
Power of the national government
Hamilton: Secretary of Treasury: delegated powers
Jefferson: Secretary of State: vague powers
Economic vision:
Hamilton recommended the creation of a national bank.
Argued it was a necessary and proper action of Congress.
Jefferson argued necessary and proper should be interpreted “ absolutely and indispensably necessary”
Foreign Policy
Napoleonic Wars between France and Great Britain
Hamilton wished for an alliance with Great Britain due to similar trade and cultural connections
Jefferson argued for support of France which had supported them during the Revolution
Washington declares neutrality

9. The Divide
Americans who supported the French: Democratic- Republicans (Eventually chose the name Republicans)
Opposed the administration’s Policy
Jefferson, Madison subsidized newspapers that supported this view
Americans who supported the view of the administration: Federalists
Hamilton

10. Alien and Sedition Acts
Many in the new republic worried aliens would incite sedition.
Sedition means rebellion.
John Adams signed the Alien Act (1798)– could force foreigners to leave the country, if they were deemed dangerous and the Sedition Act: made it a crime for editors, writers, speakers to attack the government.
Angered responses after Federalist judges fined and jailed Republican member of Congress and newspaper editors.
Jefferson and Madison wrote resolutions in Kentucky and Virginia that claimed the state legislatures had the power to declare acts of Congress null and void. Other states did not adopt these resolutions.
Fueled the fire for the election of 1800.

11. Federalist John Adams vs. Republican Thomas Jefferson
Revolution of 1800
First election to have candidates labeled as President and Vice President and affiliated with political parties.
Federalist John Adams vs. Republican Thomas Jefferson
Both parties accused the other of wanting to destroy the Constitution.
But both parties accepted the results of the election.
March 4, 1801 – Federalists turned over control to the Republican Party.
The government turned over due to an electoral revolution, rather than hereditary succession or violent overthrow.
It also exposed a weakness in Article II: Electors were to vote for two candidates: Highest votes: President 2nd Highest votes: Vice- President. Every Republican voted for Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr – resulting in a tie vote.
Everyone understood Jefferson should be President and Burr Vice, but the Constitution did not specify. Tied election resulted in the House of Representatives deciding the election.

12. 12th Amendment
Requires each elector cast one ballot for president and one for vice president.
Gave political parties a future.
Candidates would constitute a ticket, running as President and Vice President.
Jefferson never fully bought in to the concept of political parties.
“We are all Republicans; We are all Federalists.”
Jefferson may have hoped the Federalists to fade away. Viewing the Republicans as though who were after the common good.
He hoped to see the removal of clash and American center around Republican ideals.

13. Parties moving forward
Van Buren argued, as Burke did, parties served the common good.
Parties were a kind of glue
Parties kept branches of the government from becoming too powerful
Presidents could never amass support in Congress
Presidents and Senators were not elected by the people.
Great physical distance between leaders and the ordinary citizen
Using Patronage allowed presidents to appoint members of his party to political offices, including local postmaster jobs.
While Van Buren believed parties vied for allegiance – Jefferson/ Hamilton viewed conflict to evaporate once the choice was made.

14. Purpose of Parties today
Mobilze popular participation in nomination and election of candidates.
Connect executive and legislative branches as members of parties work together.
Connection national and state governments.
People indicate support for a political platform – priorities/policies of the party
Provide forums for discussion. They may incite passion and interest in determining the common good.
Provide a way for the people to get political change, rather than Constitutional change.

15. Modern Concerns
Does the 2 party system make it difficult for third party candidates.
Third parties tend to be expressions of frustration with the two dominant parties.
If single interests seize the party then tyranny can still result.