The Early Republic
1789 - 1844
Presidents and Vice Presidents
• George Washington
 John Adams
• John Adams
 Thomas Jefferson
• Thomas Jefferson
 Aaron Burr & George
Clinton
 George Clinton &
Elbridge Gerry
• James Madison
• James Monroe
 Daniel Thompkins
Political Parties
• Federalists
• Democratic-Republicans
Leaders: Hamilton, Adams
Supporters: lawyers,
Leaders: Jefferson, Madison
Supporters: farmers, urban
merchants, manufacturers,
clergy
workers
Beliefs:
Beliefs:
• Strong national government
• Loose construction of the
Constitution
• Favored national bank
• Limited national government
• Strict construction of the
Constitution
• Opposed national bank
• Agricultural economy
• Economy based on trade
Political Party Clothing Styles
• Federalist
Powdered
wigs
• Democratic-Republicans
Loose hair
Bow ties
Neckerchief
Broad
coattails
Narrow
coattails
Breaches
Trousers
Stockings
Buckles
Laces
New Styles for a New Nation
• A Revolution of Fashion
Clothing styles reflected revolutionary political changes
underway in America. Here the old style at the bottom
left is replaced with more relaxed, plainer styles.
New Styles Continued
• The Model of Liberty
The goddess of Liberty, who appeared on U.S. coins in
1795, was modeled on a famous woman of the Federal
period – Anne Willing Bingham. She was brilliant and
highly educated and a friend of President Jefferson. Her
world famous intelligence, independent spirit, and beauty
made her the perfect choice to represent liberty on
America’s new coins.
New Styles Continued
• Architecture
Americans saw a link between their new republic and the ancient
republic of Rome. Like the Romans, Americans had rebelled
against a king and established a democracy. Architects began
designing buildings for their new government using Roman forms to
represent the nation’s ideals of democracy.
Massachusetts State House 1797
Virginia State Capitol 1789
Technology of the Time
• Jefferson enjoyed inventions and
technology. He developed the wheel
cipher, copy machine, and sundial.
Other Inventions
•
•
•
•
•
1769 - The Steam Engine
1793 - The Cotton Gin
1803 - Locomotive
1807 - Steamboat
1837 - Telegraph and Steel Plow
All of these inventions and more improved
American lives.