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History glossary

Democratic-Republicans

the early U.S. party associated with Jefferson and Madison, favoring limited federal power and agrarian republicanism.

Category
Political party
Region
United States
Date range
1790s-1820s

What it means

The Democratic-Republicans formed in opposition to Federalist policies in the 1790s. Led by figures such as Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, they emphasized limited federal power, states' rights, sympathy for France, and suspicion of concentrated financial power.

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