Democratic-Republican Party

A U.S. political party founded by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison in the 1790s, it opposed Federalist policies and dominated national politics in the early 19th century.

Thomas Jefferson: An American statesman who drafted the Declaration of Independence and served as the third U.S. president. He helped found the party and became its defining national leader.
Strict constructionism: The view that the federal government may exercise only powers explicitly granted by the Constitution or necessarily implied by them. Republicans used this reading to challenge broad claims of federal authority.
Democratic-Republican societies: Civic associations formed in the 1790s to promote republican principles and oppose Federalist policies. They spread the party's ideas beyond its congressional leaders.
Louisiana Purchase: The 1803 U.S. acquisition of French territory west of the Mississippi River, nearly doubling the nation's area. Jefferson's purchase expanded the country despite his doubts about constitutional authority to acquire territory.
James Madison: An American statesman who helped frame the Constitution and served as the fourth U.S. president. He helped organize the party in opposition to Federalist policies.
States' rights: The political doctrine that U.S. states retain substantial powers and protections against federal encroachment. The party invoked state authority against federal policies it considered unconstitutional.
National Gazette: A Philadelphia newspaper edited by Philip Freneau from 1791 to 1793 that supported Jeffersonian politics. Its essays helped build a public case against Hamilton's program.
Embargo Act of 1807: A U.S. law that halted most American exports in an attempt to avoid war with Britain and France. Its economic damage weakened Republican support, especially in New England.
Federalist Party: The first U.S. political party, it supported a stronger national government and Alexander Hamilton's economic program. The Democratic-Republicans formed in opposition to its governing program.
Agrarianism: A social and political outlook that values farming and rural life as foundations of independence and civic virtue. Jeffersonian Republicans saw independent farmers as the strongest basis for republican government.

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