Chapter 1: Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists

America’s first political system runs from 1789 to 1828, during which time the first six presidents are in office.

First Political System: Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists: 1789-1828

The 1787 Constitutional Convention delivers a working blueprint for a national government, including “solutions” on the contentious issues surrounding slavery – namely how to count the black population when apportioning a state’s seats in the House (i.e. as 3/5ths of a white man), and where the practice will be sanctioned over time (i.e. in states south of the Ohio River.)

Once ratified, the contract is set into motion by the first election held in 1788, with the Independent George Washington chosen as president by a 69-0 victory in the Electoral College. He repeats this dominance in 1792, sweeping all 132 votes available. While the country progresses well under his leadership, he warns in his 1797 Farewell Address against danger to the Union he sees in the emergence of political parties and their focus more on winning or retaining power than on serving the peoples’ needs.

Beware of the danger of Parties in the State, with particular reference to the founding
of them on geographical discriminations.

The alternate domination of one faction over another, shaped by the spirit of revenge,
natural to party dissension…is itself a frightful despotism….But it inclines the minds
of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual…and sooner or
later the chief of some prevailing faction…turns this disposition to his own elevation, on
the ruins of public liberty.

George Washington 1796

In fact this threat is already evident as Washington departs, and it reflects intense policy and personal differences between two of the nation’s founders. One is Alexander Hamilton, Washington’s aide during the Revolutionary War and his Treasury Secretary; the other, Thomas Jefferson, who has served as Governor of Virginia, Secretary of State and Minister to France.

Hamilton’s political party – the Federalists – calls for a strong central government led by an authoritative executive and dedicated to creating a modern financial system and a diversified and industrialized economy. Jefferson’s party – the Democratic-Republicans – is intent on avoiding a monarchy in the capital, believes that policy decisions are best made at the local/state level, and favors an agrarian economy, with yeoman farmers growing a range of both subsistence and export crops.

First Political System Comparisons

Federalist John Adams wins a narrow victory over Jefferson in 1796 and maneuvers through the 1798-1800 “Quasi War” with France. But Adams lacks both charisma and political savvy, and goes down to defeat in 1800. The Anti-Federalists take over, initiating the “Virginia Dynasty,” which extends over the next twenty-four years — from Jefferson (1805-1813) to James Madison (1813-1821) and James Monroe (1821-1829). Together they establish the Democrat Party as a dominant political force that will endure into the modern era.

In 1803 Jefferson acquires the Louisiana Territory from Napoleon, over 800,000 square miles of land west of the Mississippi River. This fits perfectly with his intent on expanding an agricultural empire to secure the nation’s economic future. But his efforts to signal neutrality between the warring British and French ends with his disastrous 1808 Embargo Act.

Jefferson’s successor is James Madison, whose term is dominated by the War of 1812, which ends with the Battle of New Orleans and General Andrew Jackson’s decisive victory over the British. This closes the foreign threat to the republic and ushers in a generally tranquil period of unity known as the “era of good feelings,” under James Monroe. It also accelerates movement of settlers to the Midwest.

Calm ends abruptly with an application to join the Union from Missouri, the first state west of the Mississippi created from the Louisiana Purchase land. As time comes for the admission vote in the House, Congressman James Tallmadge, a Democrat-Republican from Pennsylvania, offers an amendment requiring that Missouri enter as a Free State.

When his proposal is approved by the House, it re-opens the divisions around slavery which nearly ended hope for a Union back in 1787. Jefferson calls the Tallmadge Amendment “a fire bell in the night” and Henry Clay, Speaker of the House, moves immediately to craft an answer acceptable to both sides. It will be known as the 1820 Missouri Compromise, and it creates a new geographical line of Free vs. Slave State demarcation at 36’30,” extending west across the entire Louisiana territory.

The 1824 election then delivers another blow to political party peace when no candidate achieves a majority in the Electoral College, and the U.S. House is left to choose between John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson. Clay regards Jackson as unfit for the job and steers the vote toward Adams. JQA then names Clay as his Secretary of State and Jackson labels the outcome a “corrupt bargain” and vows revenge. Which he gets by defeating Adams in 1828 and winning a second term in 1832.