A significant political faction in early American history, this group championed states’ rights and a strict interpretation of the Constitution. Led by figures like Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, it opposed the Federalist Party’s emphasis on a strong central government and commercial interests. The party’s base of support largely resided in the agrarian South and West.
The ascendancy of this political organization marked a pivotal shift in American governance. It facilitated a period known as the “Era of Good Feelings,” characterized by relative political harmony, although sectional tensions remained beneath the surface. The partys commitment to limited government and agricultural interests resonated with a large segment of the population, shaping national policy and priorities during the early 19th century.