HIST C121 Task 2: The Early Republic and the American Civil
War
A. Partisanship and Politics
The reason for the rise of partisan politics in the Early Republic is primarily the
growing differences in how early leaders thought their government ought to be
structured. Disagreements on whether to adopt the Constitution was the first
divisive debate creating a political partisanship between the Federalists and the
Antifederalists. Despite being unified in the idea that there should be no division
into a party system, clashes over policy on how to pay off national debt, how to
handle foreign affairs, and other key elements of a nations framework created a
split among the Early
Republic Leaders. The central question that continued to cause this divide was
how and to whom decision making power should be given — one central federal
governing body
or should the states be given the authority to govern themselves. (Norton, 2015)
The Constitutional Convention in 1787 was in response to this growing crisis.
It yielded a remedy that gave power to a federal government controlled by
complex
checks and balances between the states, through the presidency, Senate, House
and
Supreme Court. (Woodward, 2020) Even this ad hoc remedy would not prevent
the
establishment of multiple political parties. When George Washington declined
presidential reelection, he appealed to his peers for unity. However, the federation
was
, too divided, and the election of 1796 was a contest between the First Party
System.
These parties were the Federalists, who supported Thomas Jefferson, and the
Democratic-Republicans supporting John Adams. (Norton, 2015)
Bl. Comparison of Whig and Democratic Parties
The Whig and Democratic Parties differed largely on how they should pursue
social and economical success. Democrats believed that westward expansion was
key to economic success. They argued that more opportunities for landownership
would bring prosperity. They wanted to limit government power because they felt
the elites in power were corrupt, and their nation had been split into two factions
that was too similar to the British class system. The Whigs platform held that it
was the government's
responsibility to lead their Nation to economic success, not individual states. They
supported a national banking system and currency, commercial development
initiatives
within their current boundaries instead of westward expansion and held that
those in power obtained power through moral and ethical means. (Norton, 2015)
B2. Comparison of Leaders and Constituents
Constituents for the Whig party were diverse, their values appealed to free
black voters, evangelical Protestants, and even some Upper South slave-owning
voters. Their party was led by leaders like William Henry Harrison, Horace Greely,
Daniel Webster
and Henry Clay. The Democrats attracted voters of most other faiths, Catholic,
Mormon,
War
A. Partisanship and Politics
The reason for the rise of partisan politics in the Early Republic is primarily the
growing differences in how early leaders thought their government ought to be
structured. Disagreements on whether to adopt the Constitution was the first
divisive debate creating a political partisanship between the Federalists and the
Antifederalists. Despite being unified in the idea that there should be no division
into a party system, clashes over policy on how to pay off national debt, how to
handle foreign affairs, and other key elements of a nations framework created a
split among the Early
Republic Leaders. The central question that continued to cause this divide was
how and to whom decision making power should be given — one central federal
governing body
or should the states be given the authority to govern themselves. (Norton, 2015)
The Constitutional Convention in 1787 was in response to this growing crisis.
It yielded a remedy that gave power to a federal government controlled by
complex
checks and balances between the states, through the presidency, Senate, House
and
Supreme Court. (Woodward, 2020) Even this ad hoc remedy would not prevent
the
establishment of multiple political parties. When George Washington declined
presidential reelection, he appealed to his peers for unity. However, the federation
was
, too divided, and the election of 1796 was a contest between the First Party
System.
These parties were the Federalists, who supported Thomas Jefferson, and the
Democratic-Republicans supporting John Adams. (Norton, 2015)
Bl. Comparison of Whig and Democratic Parties
The Whig and Democratic Parties differed largely on how they should pursue
social and economical success. Democrats believed that westward expansion was
key to economic success. They argued that more opportunities for landownership
would bring prosperity. They wanted to limit government power because they felt
the elites in power were corrupt, and their nation had been split into two factions
that was too similar to the British class system. The Whigs platform held that it
was the government's
responsibility to lead their Nation to economic success, not individual states. They
supported a national banking system and currency, commercial development
initiatives
within their current boundaries instead of westward expansion and held that
those in power obtained power through moral and ethical means. (Norton, 2015)
B2. Comparison of Leaders and Constituents
Constituents for the Whig party were diverse, their values appealed to free
black voters, evangelical Protestants, and even some Upper South slave-owning
voters. Their party was led by leaders like William Henry Harrison, Horace Greely,
Daniel Webster
and Henry Clay. The Democrats attracted voters of most other faiths, Catholic,
Mormon,
