Examine three differences between the Federalist Party and the Democratic Republicans (Jeffersonians). Three differences between the Fedralist Party and Jeffersonians are 1.) General government beliefs, 2.) The Alien and Sedition Acts, and 3.) The creation, and the people.
1.) General Government Beliefs.
With respect to the federal Constitution, the Jeffersonian Republicans are usually characterized as strict constructionists who were opposed to the broad constructionism of the Federalists. Federalists were firm believers in the production of a strong central government and a broad interpretation of the Constitution. However, the Democratic Republicans believed that the government should follow a strict interpretation of the Constitution and held the idea that this would allow honest representation of the people and prevent government corruption. Jeffersonians felt the need for a government of limited powers, economy in the national administration, support of state governments in all their rights, acquiescence in majority decisions, the preservation of civil liberties, and peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations, and entangling alliances with none. The Federalists were conservatives; they favored a strong centralized government, encouragement of industries, attention to the needs of the great merchants and landowners, and establishment of a well-ordered society.
2.) The Alien and Sedition Acts.
The Alien and Sedition Acts, created by the Federalist Party, generated the nation's first major crisis over civil liberties. The uproar that was induced by such blatantly unconstitutional laws was so severe, that it, too, was extreme and radical. Since the Alien and Sedition Acts greatly threatened the authority of the Bill of Rights and therefore the fundamental government, it is surprising to consider that some of the opposition's responses proposed similar threats to central government.
