Origins of the American Two Party System-

The two party system of government we have today did not exist in the time of President Washington. In fact, he was the only president in our history to serve without an opposition party.

After the American Revolution, the country’s first constitution was the Articles of Confederation. The design was purposely weak. It did not institute a centralized government, which was done intentionally so that each colony would maintain its autonomy. At best, the Articles of Confederation represented a loose coalition of colonies.

President Washington had a grand vision of creating an American Empire. To do this, the nation required a Commander in Chief and strong central government to raise taxes, impose laws, and create a standing army. People who shared Washington’s viewpoint were called Federalists. While those people did not were called Republicans based on the ideal that the nation was a republic consisting of thirteen autonomous or sovereign colonies. They believed the United Colonies of America to be a true republic and wanted no part of an empowered central government.

At this point in our history, a true opposition party was born. Republicans opposed the idea of a sovereign centralized government. With the fires of the American Revolution still burning hot in their souls, they were afraid that this government would become despotic like the British Crown. Ironically, the vision President Washington had for America contradicted the cherished Republican values in which he believed and the American Revolution was fought.

The two-party system was born out of two differing visions for the future of America. Republicans wanted no president, no taxes and no standing army, and they wanted the colonies to remain sovereign. Federalists wanted the federal government to be sovereign and empowered to appoint a president, raise taxes and to oversee the expansion across the continent. They also wanted a standing army to protect the nation from the hostile governments of Spain, France, and Britain. All three had a presence and a stake in North America.

This competing vision for the future of America still fuels the debate today and is the lifeblood of our country. From this debate came the Constitution we cherish today; it was created in the fires of debate and compromise. Ultimately, neither side was satisifed with the final document. There was never a blueprint for the Constitution, but somehow the final document managed to create both a sovereign federal government and sovereign states.