although the nation was united under a single political party division emerged resulting in the eventual development of new parties compare thr causes of these divisions to the causes of the hamilton and jefferson division leading to the first two party system in the 1790s

Hamilton believed in a centralised system while Jefferson wanted decentralised USA to protect life, liberty and property of Americans. Hamilton supporters were known as Federalists supported Hamilton's financial plans and Washington's action to stop the Whiskey Rebellion while Jefferson supporters were known as Democratic-Republicans argued that the government had used excessive and unnecessary force.

The conflict that divided the nation and would eventually lead to the development of two political parties was that between Federalists and Anti-federalists in the 1790s. The main debate between the two groups concerned the power of the central government versus that of the states.

The Federalists were led by Alexander Hamilton, who represented the interests of the urban, mercantile class. Hamilton desired a strong central government that fostered commerce and industry. He also insisted upon full payment of the national debt and also upon the federal government taking over the unpaid debts of the states. He devised a Bank of the United States and a national mint.

The Anti-federalists were led by Thomas Jefferson, who spoke for rural and Southern interests. Jefferson advocated a decentralized agrarian plan. He wanted a strong federal government in terms of foreign affairs, but weak in every other matter. Jefferson's main concern was freedom, not efficiency.