Democratic-Republicans
Assuming the state debt
With Hamilton’s urging, the early federal government assumed the debts of the states.The Democratic-Republicans were wary of accumulating debt and of too much government intervention and spending.
Leaders: Thomas Jefferson and James Madison
Creation of a National Bank
The Democratic-Republicans argued that the Constitution should be interpreted strictly; it did not specifically grant Congress the right to create a national bank.
French Revolution
When the French Revolution began in 1789, the Democratic-Republicans supported the French overthrow of their king.
Power of the National Government
Has been urged then that a public debt, greater than we can possibly pay before other causes of adding new debt to it will occur, has been artificially created, by adding together the whole amount of the debtor & creditor sides of accounts, instead of taking only their balances, which could have been paid off in a short time.
Alien and Sediction Acts
The alien and sedition act were a series of laws that aimed outlaw speech critical of the government. The laws were designed to silence and weaken the Democratic-Republicans.
War with Britain in 1812
The War Hawks were a coterie of about twenty Democratic Republicans who persuaded Congress into supporting a declaration of war against Britain.