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[[File:05 thomas jefferson.jpg|thumb|Secretary of State [[Thomas Jefferson]] teamed up with Virginia Congressman [[James Madison]] in 1792 to form the Republican partyRepublicans. The party dominated U.S. politics from 1800 until 1824.]]The '''Republicans''' , also '''Jeffersonians''', were a U.S. political party led by [[Thomas Jefferson]].<ref>"[http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3401803576.html Republicans, Jeffersonian]", ''Dictionary of American History'', 2003.<br>Wood, Gordon, ''Empire of Liberty: A History of the Early Republic, 1789-1815'' (2009), See Chapter 4 ("The Emergence of the Jeffersonian Republican Party").</ref> In 1790, a congressional faction coalesced around Virginia congressman [[James Madison]] to oppose the policies of Treasury Secretary [[Alexander Hamilton]]. Jefferson, then secretary of state, joined Madison to contest the elections of 1792. The party dissolved in 1825. The word "republican" is from Latin ''res publica'', meaning "that which concerns the public." The Founding Fathers greatly admired the [[Roman Republic]].

Unlike modern class warfare liberals, the Jeffersonians did not advocate redistribution of wealth. Madison denounced "a rage for paper money, for an abolition of debts, for an equal division of property" as examples of "improper or wicked" ideas.<ref>"[http://www.constitution.org/fed/federa10.htm The Federalist No. 10]"</ref> However, they did share certain traits with modern liberals, including a conflicted attitude toward the military. As president, Jefferson insisted that he was a man of peace and did not need the navy built under his predecessor, [[John Adams]]. Yet one of his first acts in office was to put that navy to work attacking the Barbary pirates. By the time of the [[War of 1812]], the Jeffersonians had thoroughly demilitarized the country. Yet they eagerly waged war on Britain, a state with a powerful military, particularly at this time when its resources were fully mobilized to fight Napoleon. Another trait the Jeffersonians shared with modern liberals is that they were united less by ideology than by the conviction that their opponents were evil. To the Jeffersonians, Hamilton's [[Federalists]] were "monarchists" and "elitists." The fetish for a minimal federal government, once presented as a central ideology, was dropped in 1816. The "nationalist" policies adopted at this time were often the same as the policies the party had condemned when the Federalists advocated them.

In Jefferson's timeBy the beginning of 1812, the party was known nationally as Jeffersonians had thoroughly demilitarized the Republicanscountry. In several statesYet they eagerly [[War of 1812|waged war on Britain]], it was also called '''a state with a powerful military, particularly at this time when its resources were fully mobilized to fight Napoleon. Another trait the Democrats'''Jeffersonians shared with modern liberals is that they were united less by ideology than by the conviction that their opponents were evil.<ref>In Washington IrvingTo the Jeffersonians, Hamilton's short story "[http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/RipVan.shtml Rip Van Winkle[Federalists]] were " (1819), Rip is asked if he is monarchists"Federal or Democrat.and " Nelitists.B.: Not "Democratic RepublicanThe fetish for a minimal federal government," which was not once a contemporary usagecentral ideology, was dropped in 1816.</ref> The "nationalist" policies adopted at this time were often the same as the policies the party had condemned when the Federalists advocated them.{{AmericanPoliticalParty | party_name=Republicans | party_articletitle = Republicans (Jeffersonian) | party_logo = | website = | headquarters = | chairman = [[Thomas Jefferson]] | houseleader = [[James Madison]] | senateleader = | foundation = 1792 | ideology =[[left-wing]] | fiscalpolicy = [[Economic liberalism]] | socialpolicy = [[Classical liberalism]] | colors =red, white, and blue | footnotes =}}The party had numerous factions, including the [[Quids ]] and Malcontents in Pennsylvania, as well as the "Old Republicans" in the South.<ref>Wood, Gordon S. ''Empire of Liberty: A History of the Early Republic, 1789-1815'' (Oxford History of the United States Book 4) (p. 313). Oxford University Press. Kindle Edition. , p. 313.</ref> The "War Hawks" of the South and West pushed for war against Britain in 1812. After 1816, the party was dominated by Monroe's Nationalists, a faction which developed from the earlier Quids. The two bestparty dissolved during the 1824 election as four rival candidates for president claimed its heritage. == Name of the party ==The party was called "the Republicans" both by contemporaries and by later historians. Jefferson used this term in a platform he wrote in 1799.<ref name=Jefferson>"[https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-known factions were 30-02-0451 From Thomas Jefferson to Elbridge Gerry, 26 January 1799]." This document is the closest thing the party had to a platform. In an early draft, Jefferson used the term "republican party." In the final draft, this was changed to "republicans." See note 7.</ref> Jefferson's 1801 inaugural address is much quoted: "We are all republicans: we are all federalists."<ref>Jefferson, Thomas, "[https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-33-02-0116-0004 III. First Inaugural Address, 4 March 1801]"</ref> The Oxford History of the United States, a benchmark for modern historians, uses "Jeffersonian Republican Party."<ref>Wood, Gordon S., ''Empire of Liberty: A History of the Early Republic, 1789-1815,'' Oxford History of the United States, 2009. The relevant chapter in Wood's book is entitled, "The Emergence of the Jeffersonian Republican Party."</ref> In New York and several other states, the state party was called '''the Democrats '''. This usage can be found in "Rip Van Winkle" (1819), a Washington Irving's short story set in the Catskills mountains in upstate New York. At one point, Rip is asked if he is "Federal or Democrat."<ref>"[http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/RipVan.shtml Rip Van Winkle]" (1819).</ref> The word "republican" was associated with Washington and the Nationalistsfounders whereas the word "democratic" was associated with the French Revolution.  The term "'''Democratic -Republican" was occasionally used Party''' originated during the 1832 election campaign as a way to refer distinguish Andrew Jackson's party from the [[National Republican Party]] of [[John Quincy Adams]]. Modern historians consider Jackson to be the founder of the [[Democratic (later Jacksonian) factionParty]].  The modern [[Republican Party]], founded in 1854, was named after Jefferson's party. To distinguish these the two Republican parties, modern some writers sometimes use the term '''Democratic-Republican Party''' to refer to Jefferson's party, confusing a faction with as the Democratic-Republican Party. This suggests that Democrats and Republicans were once factions within a single party as , a wholemisleading view of America's party history.

The farmers framers of the U.S. Constitution had not considered the possibility of national political parties and were surprised when they emerged. During the debate on ratification in 1787-1788, groups once active only in the politics of their own state began to coordinate with like-minded groups in other states. In every state, factions aligned as either "federalist" (for ratification) or as "anti-federalist" (against ratification). These groupings were precursors to the political parties that formed later. Both Madison and Hamilton were framers of the constitution as well as authors of ''[[The Federalist Papers]]'', a series of newspaper columns that argued for ratification. In 1790, an "anti-Administration" congressional faction coalesced around Madison to oppose Hamilton's financial policies. In 1791, Hamilton, Adams, and other supporters of stronger national government founded the Federalist Party. Modern historians consider the Federalists to be America's first conservative party. === Citizen Genêt ===Jefferson, then secretary of state, joined Madison to contest the elections of 1792. This campaign marked the founding of the Jeffersonian Republicans as a party. In 1793-1794, French Ambassador Edmond-Charles Genêt recruited privateers based in U.S. ports to attack British shipping, citing a provision in the 1778 Franco-American treaty of alliance. President [[George Washington]] denounced Genêt's actions as a violation of U.S. neutrality. Genêt took his case to the American people and various pro-French groups, referred to collectively as the Democratic-Republican societies, were formed. The word "democracy" refers most specifically to the system of government of ancient Athens, which was admired by the French revolutionaries. Genêt named one of the vessels he outfitted the ''Little Democrat''. After Genêt was recalled, many of the people involved in these societies continued to be politically active as members of Jefferson's party. In some cases, the Jeffersonians engaged in riotous behavior, such as burning effagies modeled after [[John Jay]] due to his role in the [[Jay Treaty]].<ref>https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/c2e77037d058b9dc2e81a65157d71aad5a9d398586d630b72f61eae0589d3f8e.jpg</ref> Adams narrowly defeated Jefferson in the 1796 presidential election. === Platform of 1799 ===A letter Jefferson sent to Elbridge Gerry in January 1799 was widely circulated. The letter was later edited into an unofficial eleven-point platform:

In 1793-1794<blockquote>#An inviolable preservation of the federal constitution, French Ambassador Edmond-Charles Genêt recruited privateers based according to the true sense in Uwhich it was adopted by the states, that in which it was advocated by its friends, and not that which its enemies apprehended, who, therefore, became its enemies.S. ports #Opposition to attack British shippingmonarchising its features by the forms of its administration, citing with a provision view to conciliate a transition, first, to a president and senate for life, and secondly, to an hereditary tenure of those offices, and thus to worm out the elective principle.#Preservation to the states of the powers not yielded by them to the Union, and to the legislature of the Union its constitutional share in the 1778 Franco-American treaty division of alliance. President [[George Washington]] denounced Genêt's actions as a violation powers; and resistance, therefore, to existing movements for transferring all the powers of Uthe states to the general government, and all of those of that government to the executive branch.S. neutrality. Genêt took his case #A rigorously frugal administration of the government and the application of all the possible savings of the public revenue to the American people liquidation of the public debt; and various pro-French groupsresistance, therefore, referred to collectively as all measures looking to a multiplication of officers and salaries, merely to create partisans and to augment the Democratic-Republican societiespublic debt, were formedon the principle of its being a public blessing. The word "democracy" refers #Reliance for internal defense solely upon the militia, till actual invasion, and for such a naval force only, as may be sufficient to protect our coasts and harbors from depredations; and opposition, therefore, to the system policy of government a standing army in time of ancient Athenspeace which may overawe the public sentiment, and to a navy, which was admired , by its own expenses, and the French revolutionarieswars in which it will implicate us, will grind us with public burdens and sink us under them. Genêt named #Free commerce with all nations, political connection with none, and little or no diplomatic establishment.#Opposition to linking ourselves by new treaties with the quarrels of Europe, entering their fields of slaughter to preserve their balance, or joining in the confederacy of kings to war against the principles of liberty.#Freedom of religion and opposition to all maneuvers to bring about a legal ascendency of one sect over another.#Freedom of speech and of the vessels he outfitted press; and opposition, therefore, to all violations of the ''Little Democrat''constitution to silence, by force, and not by reason, the complaints or criticisms, just or unjust, of our citizens against the conduct of their public agents. After Genêt was recalled#Liberal naturalization laws, many under which the well disposed of all nations who may desire to embark their fortunes with us and share with us the people involved public burdens may have that opportunity, under moderate restrictions for the development of honest intention, and severe ones to guard against the usurpation of our flag.#Encouragement of science and the arts in these societies continued all their branches, to be politically active as members the end that the American people may perfect their independence of Jeffersonall foreign monopolies, institutions, and influences.<ref name=platform>Hall, Benjamin F., 's party'[https://books.google.com/books?id=_yRcAAAAcAAJ&dq= The Republican Party and Its Presidential Candidates]'', pp. 30-31.</ref></blockquote>

Adams narrowly defeated === Revolution of 1800 ===Jefferson in and Aaron Burr were selected as the 1796 presidential electionparty's nominees for president and vice president at a meeting of the congressional caucus at Marache's boarding house in Philadelphia on May 11, 1800. In the "Revolution of 1800," the Republicans gained control of the federal government. "We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists," Jefferson stated in his first inaugural address.<ref>"[http://avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_century/jefinau1.asp Thomas Jefferson First Inaugural Address]"</ref> Jefferson was president from 1801 until 1809. Jefferson argued for a minimal federal government. He opposed a standing army and even a central bank. The charter of the Bank of the United States was allowed to expire in 1811. The navy Adams had built was allowed to deteriorate. It was replaced with "gunboats." These small vessels were designed strictly for coastal defense; Jefferson did not trust his successors with offensive capabilities. Later experience would show that gunboats were useless for coastal defense as well.

=== The War of 1812 and the pivot to "Nationalism" ===In letters from [[Monticello]], Jefferson continued to provide advise and direction for many years after he retiredto the party throughout the Madison administration (1809-1817). The [[War of 1812]] demonstrated led to a default by the need U.S. Treasury in November 1814. This was a traumatic experience for Republicans used to thinking of themselves as the party of sound finance. While Jeffersonism turned out to be a stronger governmentbankrupt ideology, the Jeffersonians didn't plan to go down with it. They pivoted and adopted much of the Federalist agenda that they had previously scorned. In a letter written in January 1816, Jefferson finally dropped his idealization of the yeoman farmer and hardily endorsed domestic manufacturing.<ref>Wood, p. 705.</ref> (This was manufacturing for the domestic market. Jefferson remained skeptical of exports.) In another dramatic reversal, a Second Bank of the United States was chartered in February 1816. Under The new policies were continued by President [[James Monroe]] (1817-1825), the party adopted much of the Federalist agenda that it had previously scorned. Those who supported Monroe's approach were called referred to as "Nationalists,." while those Those who remained loyal to the old small government, agrarian agenda were skeptical were called labelled "Democrats." The [[Missouri Compromise]] of 1820, approved over Jefferson's strenuous objections, was the last occasion when the former president tried to exert influence on policy.

=== Party disintegrates in 1824 ===When [[Andrew Jackson]] , a hero of the War of 1812 and victor of the Battle of New Orleans, ran for president in 1824, the party split into Jacksonian and Anti-Jacksonian factions. In 1830, the Anti-Jacksonians established the [[National Republican Party]]. This group evolved into the [[Whig Party]]. During For the 1832 campaign, Jackson's supporters adopted a matching moniker: Democratic-Republican Party. The Jacksonians are National Republicans soon disappeared, but the direct ancestor of the modern [[term "Democratic Party]]. After 1854, writers anxious to avoid confusion between Jefferson's Republicans and the modern Republican Party began party" continued to refer to the Jefferson's party as the Democratic Republicansbe used long after its original motivation was forgotten.

* [[John Quincy Adams]] (1825-291825–29) (not nominated)