Economically, the Democratic-Republicans wanted to remain a predominantly agricultural nation, very different from either England or France during this time. Three Democratic-Republicans, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe, became presidents of the United States.

The Federalists defended the weakest point of the Constitution—a lack of a Bill of Rights—by suggesting that current protections were sufficient and that the Congress could always propose Amendments.

Federalists support a central government that is superior to state governments. In support of the Constitution, the authors of the Federalist Papers build an argument by appealing to the nation’s need of a strong central government due to corrupt human nature.

Democratic-Republicans were deeply committed to the principles of republicanism, which they feared were threatened by the supposed aristocratic tendencies of the Federalists. During the 1790s, the party strongly opposed Federalist programs, including the national bank.

Who did the Federalists believe should not run the government? Ordinary people.

What did Jefferson believe about the federal government? He believed that the federal government should be very limited, promoting increased popular sovereignty instead.

Jefferson also felt that the central government should be “rigorously frugal and simple.” As president he reduced the size and scope of the federal government by ending internal taxes, reducing the size of the army and navy, and paying off the government’s debt.

That government is best which governs the least, because its people discipline themselves.

A coup d’état (/ˌkuːdeɪˈtɑː/ ( listen); French for “blow of state”), usually shortened to coup, is the seizure and removal of a government and its powers.