Political groups or political parties began to form during the struggle for ratification of the Federal Constitution of 1787. The friction between them increased as attention shifted from the creation of a new federal government to the question of how powerful this federal government would be. The federalists, led by Finance Minister Alexander Hamilton, wanted a strong central government, while the anti-federalists, led by Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, advocated state rights instead of centralized power. The federalists united in the country`s commercial sector, while their adversaries drew strength from those who preferred an agricultural society. The ensuing partisan fighting led George Washington to warn in his farewell speech as president of the United States of "the shameful effects of the spirit of the party." Despite George Washington`s warning of the dangers of political factions or political parties in his farewell address to the nation in 1796, the absence of a consensus candidate to take the presidency only strengthens partisan struggles. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson led partisan factions or parties in the 1796 general election. Washington even got the advice of two opposing fans, Alexander Hamilton and James Madison. Here is a draft of The Washington farewell speech that Hamilton wrote. Disagreements are not a concern for President Washington. They could even be useful until in 1792 he realized that the differences between two members of his cabinet, Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, were very personal. By the time George Washington`s government began, the two sides formed during the constitutional debates - groups known as federalists and federalists - had not yet consolidated into parties. But differences of opinion on the direction of the nation are already eroding any hope of political unity.

In May 1792 Jefferson expressed his fear of Hamilton`s policies in Washington, calling Hamilton`s allies in Congress a "corrupt squadron." He expressed concern that Hamilton would want to move away from the republican structure of the Constitution towards a monarchy inspired by the English Constitution. That same month, Hamilton confided to a friend: "Mr. Madison, who works with Mr. Jefferson, is the leader of a political group resolutely hostile to me and my government, and... Peace and the happiness of the country are dangerous. George Washington (1732-1799), a Virginia planter and veteran of the American border wars, was the sole commander of all the armed forces during the eight years of the War of Independence. His leadership during the revolution led to his election as the first president of the United States (1789-1797).