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Our most recent reading in Wilentz explores how the American democratic experiment dealt with its first official war. Specifically, the reading focuses on how the different demands and outlooks of the American people manifested themselves in the development of the Democratic-Republican Party.
Leading up to the war, several important rifts within the Democratic-Republican Party developed based on disagreements over war with Britain and over the extent of federal power. The Old Republicans, led by John Randolph, were dedicated to minimizing federal power while maintaining good relations with the British. The city and country democrats, though supportive of minimal government by barring it from aiding internal improvement, favored conflict with Britain. In the end; however, a new generation of young Republicans pushed the other factions aside.
Derogatorily named the war haws, this faction was vehemently anti-British in sentiment. Also, under the influence of Henry Clay, they were also strong supporters of federal aid for internal improvement, and thus the broadening of federal powers. This faction of the Democratic-Republican Party drew its support from the West and South. John Caldwell Calhoun, who was another prominent leader of the war hawks, exemplifies the young Republicans who entered the political fray in the early 1800s. As part of the slaveholding elite, Calhoun’s wealth rested on his ability to trade freely and effectively. This naturally manifested itself in supporting the improvement of infrastructure as well as in taking an aggressive stance against Britain in order to undermine its domination of the seas.
The sudden emerging prominence of the wealthy elite scared many of the Old Republicans. As Kaylie points out in her recent post, the Democratic-Republican Party emerged so that the “voice of the common people” had its outlet, meaning that the rise of an aristocratic-like elite seemingly undermined the principles upon which the Party was founded. However, as Wilentz points out, the young new Republicans were far from “neo-Federalists.” Unlike Federalists, these national leaders wanted to stimulate American commerce at the cost of severing ties with Britain. More importantly, unlike the Federalists, the war hawks were able to effectively grasp political power, shaping the direction of the nation for several decades to come.