Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A former major political party in the United States in the early 19th century: The Democratic-Republican Party was one of the two dominant political organizations in the United States from the 1790s to the 1820s. It was founded by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison and stood in opposition to the Federalist Party.

Usage

• The term "Democratic-Republican Party" is used as a proper noun to refer specifically to this historical political entity. It is typically used in historical and political discussions.
• Example:
• Example:

Advanced Usage

• The party's ideology is often described as Jeffersonian democracy, emphasizing agrarian interests, limited federal government, and a foreign policy sympathetic to revolutionary France.
• The party is a historical precursor to the modern Democratic Party, though the ideological lineage is complex and not direct.

Variants and Related Words

• Democratic-Republican (adj): Pertaining to the Democratic-Republican Party or its principles.
  • Example: He held Democratic-Republican views on the economy.
• Jeffersonian (adj): Relating to the political principles of Thomas Jefferson, often synonymous with early Democratic-Republican ideology.
• Anti-Federalist: While not identical, the Democratic-Republican Party absorbed many elements of the earlier Anti-Federalist sentiment which opposed a strong central government.

Synonyms

• Jeffersonian Republicans: An alternative name for the party.
• Republican Party (historical context): In its early history, the party was often simply called the "Republican Party." To avoid confusion with the modern Republican Party (founded in 1854), historians use the full name "Democratic-Republican Party."

Notes on Meaning

• It is crucial to distinguish the historical Democratic-Republican Party (c. 1792–1824) from the two modern major U.S. parties: the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. The modern parties have different origins and evolved from the split of this earlier party.

Noun

1. a former major political party in the United States in the early 19th century; opposed the old Federalist party; favored a strict interpretation of the constitution in order to limit the powers of the federal government