The History of the Democratic Party (Your Government & How It Works).

In the earliest years of America’s history as an independent nation, the country was unifi ed behind its leadership. George Washington was the unanimous choice as the nation’s fi rst president. His cabinet featured many men who had fi gured prominently in the Continental Congress and the American Revolution, men who had stood fi rmly united in the effort to win independence from Great Britain. This spirit of unity and common purpose would not last, however.In Washington’s cabinet were men whose differences would soon become so great that they would form political parties to clarify their views and positions on the key issues of the day. One of these issues was precisely how power would be balanced in the new nation.