Rise of Political Parties
George Washington’s “Farewell Address” to the nation included a warning to not form political parties. He stated that parties “distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration.” Political parties had begun to develop within the cabinet as a result of the ethical differences between the Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson, and the Treasury Secretary, Alexander Hamilton whose financial plan irritated Jefferson to the point of creating the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions. ... Because of the differences between cabinet members, each political party tried to ruin one another. ... The public then began to defame political figures on the streets and in the newspapers. ... In conclusion, the combination of ethical beliefs between two cabinet members, the financial plan proposed by Hamilton, and tedious Sedition Acts placed on the nation by President Adams all led to the raise of many political parties, other then just Republicans and Democrats.