How did the political positions of the federalists and democratic- republicans differ?
The early Federalists and Democratic-Republicans did not publish party platforms. You have to determine this from statements. Hamilton’s party, known as the Federalists, favored a strong central government, a strong national bank, and an alliance with Britain (the nation with the strongest economy at the time). The Federalists passed protective tariffs to help American industry and considered the government’s top priority the economy. The party Jefferson formed was called the Democratic-Republicans. They favored strong state government since these were closer to the people. They opposed a national bank fearing the power this would give to the central government. They opposed the protective tariff and any other policies that would hurt the “little guy.
