There were two major political parties that emerged in the United States during the 1790s: the Hamiltonian Federalists and the Jeffersonian Republicans. Each had their own distinct views on the role of the national government, as well as the method by which the Constitution should be interpreted. Due to their differences of opinion in running the country, several issues arose, including the economic plan designed to restart the country post-war and the nation's relationship with France and the implications of their revolution. The Hamiltonian Federalist Party was led primarily by Alexander Hamilton, who acted as Secretary of the Treasury during George Washington's presidency, but also by John Adams who would later be elected president after George Washington's two terms in office. Although Washington himself often favored the Federalist point of view and opinion on the issue, he sought to maintain neutrality while in office. Federalists believed in a strong, central national government, in which the rights of the states did not matter as much as their unification through the federal government. Furthermore, they believed that the nation was better off under the rule of the “best” people (those who were educated, wealthy, and public figures) and believed that “freedom… rests on deference to national authority.” (Foner) A free interpretation of the Constitution was preferred and the economy was wanted to be essentially based on the banking and manufacturing sectors. The Federalists preferred an ongoing relationship with Great Britain, both for commercial reasons and out of admiration for their governmental structure. As the name suggests, the Jeffersonian Republicans operated under the leadership of Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Jefferson was initially...... halfway through the document ......le this declared American neutrality between France and England, Washington made sure to point out that no one associated himself with either side. While there were some instances in which the Hamiltonian Federalists and Jeffersonian Republicans were able to coexist rather peacefully, most of their tenure as political parties was filled with feuds and disagreements over the economy and the role of the national government. The men were true to their beliefs and the strategies they believed would lead to a united, functioning America, and although they often disagreed, they simply wanted to see the nation prosper and succeed. Major issues, including those of Hamilton's suggested tax system and loyalty to the French, only contributed to their constant antipathy towards each other and their intentions, and most likely contributed to their demise as political parties..