Are you a Federalist or a Democratic-Republican?

A dynamic illustration depicting symbols of Federalism and Democratic-Republicanism, such as scales of justice, a quill pen, and the Constitution, set against a backdrop of early American political scenes

Federalist vs. Democratic-Republican Quiz

Curious about your political alignment? This quiz explores the views of Federalists and Democratic-Republicans through key issues. Answer questions about governance, public power, and constitutional interpretation to discover whether you lean towards Federalist principles or the ideals of Jeffersonian democracy.

5 Thought-Provoking Questions
Explore Historical Perspectives
Find Your Political Fit

5 Questions1 MinutesCreated by DebatingEagle25

ISSUE: View on the general public:

[Hamilton]: "Has it not. . . Invariably been found that momentary passions, and immediate interests, have a more active and imperious control over human conduct than general or remote considerations of policy, utility and justice?" – Hamilton, Federalist #6

[Jefferson]: "I am persuaded myself that the good sense of the people will always be found to be the best army. . . . They may be led astray for a moment, but will soon correct themselves." – Jefferson, to Edward Carrington, 1787

ISSUE: How to govern people:

[Hamilton]: “In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men the great difficulty lies in this: You must first enable the government to control the governed, and in the next place, oblige [force] it to control itself.” – Hamilton, The Federalist, 1788

[Jefferson]: “What more is necessary to make us a happy and prosperous people? …a wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, which shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from labor the bread it has earned… I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than those attending too small a degree of it.” – Thomas Jefferson

ISSUE: Who has the power: the federal government or the people?

[Hamilton]: “A government ought to contain in itself every power requisite to the full accomplishment of the objects committed to its care, and to the complete execution of the trusts for which it is responsible, free from every other control but a regard to the public good and to the sense of the people."- Hamilton, Federalist #31

[Jefferson]: “"We established however some, although not all its [self-government] important principles. The constitutions of most of our States assert, that all power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise it by themselves, in all cases to which they think themselves competent, as in electing their functionaries executive and legislative, and deciding by a jury of themselves... That it is their right and duty to be at all times armed. - Thomas Jefferson

ISSUE: The power of the Constitution: Should there be a liberal or strict interpretation of the Constitution?

[Hamilton]: “The powers contained in a constitution… ought to be construed liberally in advancement of the public good.” – Hamilton

[Jefferson]: “I consider the foundation of the Constitution as laid on this ground – that all powers not delegated [given] to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states, or to the people.” – Jefferson

ISSUE: Division of power among the people: Who is more important to maintaining a steady government?

[Hamilton]: “All communities divide themselves into the few and the many. The first are the rich and well born; the other, the mass of people… The people are turbulent and changing; they seldom judge or determine right. Give therefore to the first class a … permanent share in the government… they therefore will ever maintain good government.” – Hamilton

[Jefferson]: “The small landowners are the most precious part of the state.” – Jefferson

Are you a Federalist or a Democratic-Republican?

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