Define the two political parties. What was the difference between the Federalists and Democratic-Republicans? What major events/concepts/ideologies divided the two? Use the lesson for the information. How does the political partisanship of the past relate to the present? Use current events/ideologies/people/media to describe the current partisanship.
Some things to think about
What were their ideologies?
You may draw on some concepts of the Constitutional Convention, but be careful because both the political leaders (Hamilton and Madison) were supporters of the new Constitution and wrote the Federalist Papers to defend it.
Also, remember that the Federalists during the Constitutional Convention debate are not the same as the Federalist Party (confusing, I know)
How did both see themselves as the legacy of the Revolutionary War and fought over the federal government’s role?
Think about what they wanted for the future of the country.
Describe the events that led to the division.
Key historical events that drove the two factions into opposition parties.
What happened during the election of 1796 and 1800?
Who were the leaders of the parties?