Final answer:
Thomas Jefferson founded the Democratic-Republican Party as a response to partisan divides, particularly opposition to Hamilton's Federalist vision and policies that seemed to favor a powerful, elite government. It was a pragmatic move to protect republican values and empower the common man in governance. Despite his distaste for parties, the political landscape necessitated organized opposition to effectively promote Jeffersonian democracy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Despite Thomas Jefferson's initial disdain for political parties, he became instrumental in founding the Democratic-Republican Party due to the growing partisan divide during the early years of the United States. This divide was primarily between those who supported Alexander Hamilton's vision of a strong central government (the Federalists) and those who favored more power to the states (the Democratic-Republicans). The steering of the Federalist Party, with policies like the Alien and Sedition Acts, and events such as the French Revolution and the Whiskey Rebellion, showcased the potential for oppressive government and increased the urgency for Jefferson to formally organize a counter movement, one that aligned with his principles of a less centralized government and more individual freedoms.
The formation of Jefferson's party was also a response to the perceived elitism of the Federalists, who were seen as wanting to reserve power for the well-educated and wealthy. Democratic-Republicans promoted the idea that all men, not just the elite, should have a voice in governance. Jefferson's alignment with the Democratic-Republican Party was thus based on his vision for an agrarian-based democracy and governance that empowered the common man.
Additionally, the emergence of political parties was in part a pragmatic response to the realities of the political landscape. The growing partisanship made it necessary for Jefferson and Madison to formalize their political stance and organize a platform to effectively challenge the Federalists, which led to Jefferson's reluctant acceptance of party politics. The act of establishing a party ensured the promotion of their Republican values and drew away power from what they saw as privileged insiders and towards what they believed was a more equitable and representative system.