When the Federalist party was organized in 1791, those people who favored a strong central government and a loose constitutional interpretation coagulated and followed the ideals of men such as Alexander Hamilton. The first opposition political party in the United States was the Republican party, which held power, nationally, between 1801 and 1825. Those who were in favor of states rights and a strict construction of the constitution fell under the leadership of Thomas Jefferson. These Jeffersonian republicans, also known as anti-federalists, believed in strict adherence to the writings of the constitution. They wanted state's rights and individual rights, which they believed could only be granted under strict construction of the…show more content… The American Snapping-turtle, or OGRABME (embargo spelled backwards) caught the smuggler and the smuggler is screaming, "Oh this cursed Ograbme [embargo]!". Alexander Anderson is clearly expressing the Federalists' distaste towards Jefferson and his decision to enact the Embargo Act of 1807. The feeling that Jefferson had violated his principles was felt throughout his country. This law led to Jefferson's public embarrassment and humiliation. The Federalists seized the opportunity to ridicule the president and proclaimed the embargo unconstitutional. James Madison succeeded Jefferson as President in 1808. At the time he was the only man who could carry forth the concepts of the Jeffersonian republicans. Upon his election, Madison accepted the repeal of the Embargo Act. The eight years of his presidency were dominated by continuing growing tensions between the United States and the governments of France and Britain. He replaced the Embargo Act with the Non-Intercourse act to limit American trade but it soon became apparent that this was having no effect on the European powers. In May 1810, this act was repealed and trade was resumed with France and Britain. Madison's efforts to find other paths to peace through commercial retaliation became increasingly more difficult. With the support of the newly elected War Hawks, who had gained seats in congress and Britain's arrogant assaults on American ships and sea men,
