Question

The first political parties in the United States were established in the 1790's largely because of political differences between--
A) John Adams and Benjamin Franklin
B) Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Paine
C) George Washington and James Madison
D) Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton

Answer 1

D) Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. The Framers thought political factions were dangerous, but once George Washington developed his presidential cabinet, Hamilton argued for a strong, centralized government, while Jefferson argued for a confederate system of power among the states. These conflicting views gave rise to two major political parties and a few minor ones.