Jefferson's supporters were known as which political faction?

Jefferson's supporters were known as which political faction?

• A. Federalists
• B. Democratic-Republicans
• C. Whigs
• D. Anti-Federalists

Answer: (B)

Jefferson’s supporters formed the Democratic-Republican faction, also known as the Jeffersonian Republicans. They coalesced in the early 1790s in opposition to Alexander Hamilton’s Federalist program, emphasizing limited federal power, states’ rights, and an economy rooted in agriculture. The label they chose (or were given) signaled a vision of democracy grounded in the common farmer-sphere and a strict reading of the Constitution. Over time, this group evolved into what we recognize today as the Democratic Party, emphasizing states’ rights and limited central authority. The Federalists were the rivals who favored a stronger central government and a broader, more flexible interpretation of the Constitution, which is why they are not the correct option. Anti-Federalists were an earlier opposition movement during the Constitution’s ratification and aren’t the formal Jefferson-era faction. The Whigs emerged later in the 1830s as opponents of Andrew Jackson, not as Jefferson’s followers. So, the faction most closely associated with Jefferson is the Democratic-Republicans.

Jefferson’s supporters formed the Democratic-Republican faction, also known as the Jeffersonian Republicans. They coalesced in the early 1790s in opposition to Alexander Hamilton’s Federalist program, emphasizing limited federal power, states’ rights, and an economy rooted in agriculture. The label they chose (or were given) signaled a vision of democracy grounded in the common farmer-sphere and a strict reading of the Constitution. Over time, this group evolved into what we recognize today as the Democratic Party, emphasizing states’ rights and limited central authority.

The Federalists were the rivals who favored a stronger central government and a broader, more flexible interpretation of the Constitution, which is why they are not the correct option. Anti-Federalists were an earlier opposition movement during the Constitution’s ratification and aren’t the formal Jefferson-era faction. The Whigs emerged later in the 1830s as opponents of Andrew Jackson, not as Jefferson’s followers. So, the faction most closely associated with Jefferson is the Democratic-Republicans.