Final answer:
The two main factions in early U.S. politics were the Federalists and Democratic-Republicans, followed by the Democrats and Whigs during the Second Party System. These political parties formed coalitions to represent a broad range of citizens, in contrast to narrowly focused interest groups.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two main factions referred to in the context of United States politics during different periods are the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans, and the Democrats and Whigs. These political parties represent broad coalitions of the population and are different from interest groups, which are often more issue-specific. In the case of the Second Party System, the main political parties were the Democrats and the Whigs.
Political factions have played a central role in American history and have been influenced by various factors such as religion, government, and socioeconomic status. The tendency for groups to align based on common interests or opinions has been a persistent part of the American political landscape.