Question

Which of the following did NOT lead to the formation of the first political parties in the United States? A. Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton argued about how to run the new government. B. Alexander Hamilton wanted to set up a national bank; Thomas Jefferson disagreed. C. Alexander Hamilton wanted to become friendly with Britain; Thomas Jefferson argued that France had been an ally during the Revolutionary War. D. President Washington would not run for a third term in office.

Answer 1

The correct option is A

After returning from France, Jefferson was the first Secretary of State of George Washington (1790-1793). Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton began discussing national fiscal policy, especially the financing of war debts. Hamilton believed that the debts should be equally shared by all and Jefferson that each state should be responsible for its own debt (Virginia had not accumulated much debt during the Revolution). In the fight against the federalists, Jefferson came to equate Hamilton and the rest of his followers and conservatives with the monarchists, who threatened to undermine republicanism.

Jefferson and James Madison founded and directed the Democratic-Republican Party. He worked with Madison and his campaign manager John J. Beckley to build a national network of Republican allies that would allow them to fight federalists across the country.