Power Of The New Nation - 1853 Words

After the Revolutionary War, a sprouting and unstable nation was left in the hands of the Founding Fathers. Among them rose a leader, George Washington, who became the first President of the United States. The 1790s were years filled with the nation’s leaders trying to find ways for the new country to become stable, how to handle the economy, and how to manage both manage domestic and foreign affairs. As each problem arose, so did the different opinions regarding handling of these issues. These powerful opinions lead to divisions between the country’s government and its people, known as political parties. The struggle to gain stability and control the potential power of the new nation was a difficult task for the political leaders in the†¦show more content†¦The Federalist party was lead by the Secretary of Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, along with John Jay and Gouverneur Morris. The Federalist ideals emphasized the need of federal power, favored large businesse s, believed the country needed a strong financial system, and interpreted the Constitution loosely. (â€Å"Political Parties Emerge (Overview)† 1). The Democratic Republican party was the complete opposite of the Federalist party. Lead by Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison, the Democratic Republican party’s ideals, which were largely inspired by the Enlightenment, were centered around the power of the people. The Democratic Republican party was strongly against an intrusive federal government and believed the power should remain in the hands of the states. Along with those beliefs, the Democratic Republicans favored small, agriculturally based businesses and a strict interpretation of the Constitution (Danver 3). The differences between the parties lead to much conflict within the country, but it also made sure that the decisions made by the government would benefit the whole nation. One of the biggest domestic problems the nation was facing during the 1790s was the debt that was a result of the Revolutionary War. Alexander Hamilton, leader of the Federalist party, proposed a financial plan that would solve the country’s debt problems while also creating a stable