Final answer:
During George Washington's presidency, major issues that caused division between the Federalist and Democratic-Republican parties included the interpretation of the Constitution, economic policies, and foreign policy.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the presidency of George Washington, the major issues that caused division between the Federalist and Democratic-Republican parties included:
- Interpretation of the Constitution: The Federalists believed in a loose interpretation of the Constitution, granting more powers to the central government, while the Democratic-Republicans favored a strict interpretation, limiting the powers of the federal government.
- Economic Policies: The Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton, supported a strong national bank and economic policies that favored the wealthy elites. The Democratic-Republicans, led by Thomas Jefferson, opposed these policies and advocated for agrarian interests and the rights of the common man.
- Foreign Policy: The Federalists generally supported closer ties with Britain and a pro-British stance, while the Democratic-Republicans sympathized more with France and the French Revolution.