Federalists vs.

Democratic-Republicans
Directions: Use the websites below to help you complete the organizer. Type your answers in complete
sentences if needed.

Federalists Democratic-
Go to: http://www.government-and-
constitution.org/history-us-political- Republicans
parties/federalists.htm
(former Anti-Federalists)
Go to: http://www.government-and-
constitution.org/history-us-political-
parties/democratic-republican-party.htm

Leaders Who was the leader of the Who was the leader of the
Federalists Party? Democratic-Republicans?

Power of Did the Federalists believe What did the Democratic-

the states or the national Republicans support in order
the Federal government should have the to limit the powers of the
Government greatest amount of power? national government?

How did the Democratic-

Republicans think the country
should be run?

Constitutio Did the Federalists Party Did the Democratic-Republican

support a strict or loose Party support a strict or loose
n interpretation of the interpretation of the
Constitution? Constitution?

What was the Democratic-

What was the Federalists Republicans’ reason behind
 Party’s reason behind their
view on how the Constitution
should be interpreted?
Economy What type of society did the
Federalists want the new
nation to have?
The Who supported Hamilton’s
monetary decisions?
National
Bank
Foreign What country did the
Federalists support?
Policy
Manner What type of people did the
Federalists believe should run
the government?
Who did the Federalists
believe should not run the
their view on how the
Constitution should be
interpreted?
What type of society did the
Democratic-Republicans want
the nation to have?
What did the Democratic-
Republicans think about
Hamilton’s plan for a National
Bank?
What country did the
Democratic-Republicans
admire the citizens because of
their strong anti-monarchist
sentiments?
What type of people did the
Democratic-Republicans
believe should run the
country?
What type of occupations did
people have who supported the
 government? Democratic-Republicans?

Location Where did the Federalists Where did the Democratic-

party have a strong base? Republicans have a strong
political base?

Summary

In 3-4 sentences, describe three conflicts between the Federalists and the
Democratic-Republicans. (Hint: Think about strict vs. loose interpretation of the
Constitution, foreign policy, and the National Bank.)

Now you can complete the World Smallest Political Quiz and determine what
Political Party closely follows your political opinions.

 http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz

1. According to the Quiz where do you lie on the political spectrum?

2. Do you think your politics will change over time? Why or Why Not?
 Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans Answer Key
Directions: Use the websites below to help you complete the organizer. Type your answers in complete
sentences if needed.
Federalists
Go to: http://www.government-and-
constitution.org/history-us-political-
parties/federalists.htm
Leaders Who was the leader of the
Federalists Party? Alexander
Hamilton
Power of Did the Federalists believe
the states or the national
the Federal government should have the
Government greatest amount of power?
The National Government
Democratic-
Republicans
(former Anti-Federalists)
Go to: http://www.government-and-
constitution.org/history-us-political-
parties/democratic-republican-party.htm
Who was the leader of the
Democratic-Republicans?
Thomas Jefferson
What did the Democratic-
Republicans support in order
to limit the powers of the
national government? A strict
interpretation of the
Constitution.
How did the Democratic-
Republicans think the country
should be run? The state and
national government should

Constitutio Did the Federalists Party
support a strict or loose
n interpretation of the
Constitution? Loose
interpretation.
What was the Federalists
Party’s reason behind their
view on how the Constitution
should be interpreted? They
wanted a strong National
Government.
Economy What type of society did the
Federalists want the new
nation to have? Industrial
society.
The Who supported Hamilton’s
monetary decisions? The
National bankers.
Bank
Foreign What country did the
Federalists support? Britain
Policy
have equal powers.
Did the Democratic-Republican
Party support a strict or loose
interpretation of the
Constitution? Strict
interpretation.
What was the Democratic-
Republicans’ reason behind
their view on how the
Constitution should be
interpreted? They wanted to
limit the powers of the federal
government.
What type of society did the
Democratic-Republicans want
the nation to have? An
agrarian (agriculture)
What did the Democratic-
Republicans think about
Hamilton’s plan for a National
Bank? They opposed the
National Bank.
What country did the
Democratic-Republicans
admire the citizens because of
their strong anti-monarchist
sentiments? France
 Manner What type of people did the
Federalists believe should run
the government? The wealthy
and educated.
Who did the Federalists
believe should not run the
government? Ordinary people.
Location Where did the Federalists
party have a strong base?
Cities and New England
What type of people did the
Democratic-Republicans
believe should run the
country?
Ordinary and less educated
Americans.
What type of occupations did
people have who supported the
Democratic-Republicans?
Farmers, laborers, skilled
workers, and planters.
Where did the Democratic-
Republicans have a strong
political base? The South and
West.

Summary

In 3-4 sentences, describe three conflicts between the Federalists and the
Democratic-Republicans. (Hint: Think about strict vs. loose interpretation of the
Constitution, foreign policy, and the National Bank.)