Lesson 20: How Did Political Parties Develop?

Terms

Alien and Sedition Acts  Laws passed during President John Adams' administration that made it a crime for editors, writers, or speakers to criticize the government and its Federalist policies.

currency  Any form of money used in a nation.

political party  Any organization that seeks to achieve political power by electing members to public office so that their political philosophies can be reflected in public policies.

Republican Party  The first political organization formed in opposition to the Federalist Party by the supporters of Thomas Jefferson. It evolved into the Democratic Party in 1828 and has no connection to the present-day Republican Party.