

The founding fathers of the United States did not belong to political parties as we know them today. They were concerned about the dangers of political factionalism and sought to create a government that was not divided along party lines. However, they did have differing views on how the government should be structured and what policies it should pursue, which led to the formation of informal groups and eventually, the emergence of political parties.
- Federalists: Alexander Hamilton, one of the most prominent founding fathers, is often associated with the Federalist Party. This party advocated for a strong central government, supported the creation of a national bank, and favored industrialization and modernization. The Federalists were dominant in the early years of the United States, with Hamilton serving as the first Secretary of the Treasury under George Washington. They were often aligned with businesses and favored a national over state government1.
- Democratic-Republicans: Thomas Jefferson, another notable founding father, was a leader of the Democratic-Republican Party, which emerged as a distinct opposition force. This party favored states' rights, a smaller federal government, and a more agrarian economy. They were often supported by planters and farmers and opposed strong executive power and a standing army and navy23.
It's important to note that the concept of political parties as we understand them today did not exist during the time of the founding fathers. The divisions between the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans were more akin to ideological factions rather than organized parties with formal structures and party platforms.
