What is a Democratic-Republican?

Answer 1

The Democratic-Republicans was one of the first political parties in the United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison around 1792. They originally called themselves the Anti-Federalists in opposition to the dominant Federalist Party that founded the new United States government. The Federalists favored a strong central government and held elitist values. The Democratic-Republicans supported states' rights, limited government, and a strict interpretation of the Constitution.

In 1800, the Democratic Republicans won both the Presidential (Jefferson) and Vice-Presidential offices, as well as the majority of seats in Congress, causing a shift in the direction of government. The Judicial branch was still dominated by Federalists, however, and most heavily influenced by Chief Justice John Marshall, who ensured the federal government retained dominance over the states.

The party split into the Democrats and Republicans in 1824, but were not the same as the Democrats and Republicans of the 21st century. The Republican Party mutated quite a few times over the years, becoming the Whig Party from 1833-1856, which then split into the Free Soil and Know-Nothing parties, as well as a new incarnation of the Republicans.