What is the role of political parties in the constitutional system? Lesson 16 Politics Since the beginning of modern government viewpoints have always varied on different topics It is only natural that groups will form that share the same beliefs about any different number of issues America had seen these political groups since the forming of the colonies Rhode Island was formed as a result of extremist thinking Political opposition had formed in the creation of the new Constitution Federalist and Anti-Federalist were heated in their discussions about political issues It was only natural that political parties would form as the government and United States evolved James Madison argued that the new Constitution would control the effects of factions in the people Many of the original founders agreed that factions were an evil to the better good of society However, as government evolved in our country many would come to realize that political parties and varying beliefs would have a specific and needed thing in America Edward Burke, Without opposition to the status quo rulers would resort to conspiracy. Fostering open debate with issues will make opponents see the middle ground in opposing factions Alexander Hamilton felt that parties could promote deliberation and circumspection, and serve to check excesses in the majority. However, most founders would agree that once an issue had been resolved opposition should cease. Is this a realistic expectation by Hamilton? Prior to the revolution everyone was united under one goal and one idea, gain independence As the government aged and evolved however, varying viewpoints would arise on how to deal with the new issues presented to the government. Political System: A system of organized, realatively durable political parties that accept one anothers right to exist and to compete in elections and within government. Within a decade, two new political parties would emerge in the U.S. Federalist Democratic-Republicans Madison and Hamilton, who had argued so passionately against political parties, would eventually become the leaders of these two groups. Four key issues would emerge as the source of factions in the young country. The power of the national government Economic Vision Foreign Policy The Alien and Sedition Acts Federalist believed that Constitution was created in a way so the government could tackle any national problem it felt necessary. Since the majority of power was delegated to the national government, those powers could be reduced or eliminated by amending the constitution The Power of the National Government Republicans like Jefferson disagreed with this energetic interpretation Jefferson believed that the government should not be able to do whatever it wanted. Jefferson argued that the government was only there in times of need, not for the active involvement in everyday issues The constitution was to vague, and Federalist would use their power to liberally Hamilton felt the country needed to develop commercially Using his position as Secretary of the Treasury, Hamilton would create the National Bank. He felt the National Bank would help the U.S. finances as well as entrepreneurs who needed money to start businesses Hamilton believed the bank was necessary and proper Economic Vision The National Bank would be used to collect taxes and regulate trade. Jefferson would disagree once again. The necessary and proper clause in the constitution read more along the lines of absolutely and indispensably necessary So in Jeffersons mind the National Bank was not needed because banks were already available to the people. A chief national bank was not necessary for the people French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte began his crusade to take over all of Europe. With everyone conquered but England, support for separate countries became a dividing issue in America. Who should the U.S. support? Foreign Policy Federalist wanted to support the British due to the fact that the majority of our business was done with the United Kingdom. If Britain was to fall, the U.S. economy would be crushed. Republicans wanted to support France because they had helped us during the American Revolution In response to the conflict President Washington would declare the U.S. neutral. Opposing Washington stance so adamantly, Madison, Jefferson, and fellow Republicans began open petition for the U.S. to support France This situation created the first political parties, with Hamilton leading the Federalist Party, and Jefferson the Republican Party This was not technically a Party System yet due to the fact that each party felt the other was threat to the nations very existence. The Party System acknowledges each groups right to exist. The Alien Act gave President John Adams the power to force foreigners to leave the country if he considered them dangerous. Alien Act Sedition Act Sedition: Rebellion The Sedition Act made it a crime for editors, writers, or speakers to attack the government President Adams would use this act to arrest a Republican Congressman Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions Written by Madison and Jefferson Claimed that the states had the right to decide if the national government had exceeded its powers. These resolutions further claimed that the states had the power to declare laws null and void. These would only be passed in the two states Although the resolutions would not have widespread success, they would build support for the Republican Party, which many felt to be fighting for the majority of the people Republicans would win almost ever position available during the election. Most importantly a Republican would win the presidency Election of 1800 Jefferson Jefferson and Aaron Burr would win the Presidency with a tie. The Constitution said that whoever received the most votes would be president, and second would be the V.P. Widespread opposition to Federalist led to a Republican sweep A tie in the election sent the final vote to the House of Representatives Jefferson would be named President Burr Vice-President Political Parties Grow The Political System would become fully rooted in American life Political parties would offer the people connections to the government. Political Parties create competition. Once a party is elected it will pursue its agenda. The opposing party always challenges those in power, holding them accountable. A lack of opposition equates to no accountability, which could lead to tyranny. Its an informal source of checks and balances Promote participation Connect state and national government with a common cause Political Parties have platforms: the label given to the priorities and policies of the party Promote passion and interest rather than reason and the same old same old Parties can promote stability by calling for a change in government leaders, not the constitution itself Political Parties Today It is very odd for a country with our size and population to have only two political parties. If more parties were available it could be said that we would have a wider range of choices Third Parties in American are generally small and orientated towards a narrow set of issues.