Democratic Party
one of the chief political parties in the United States. Its distinguishing doctrine is that of giving the central government as little power as possible. Historically, it is opposed to a strong central government. The first cleavage into political parties was that of Federalists and Anti-Federalists, the former in favor of adopting the United States Constitution, the latter opposed to it on the ground that it gave the government dangerous power. Out of the various Anti-Federal elements. Thomas Jefferson formed the party which has continued to the present time. It was known at first as Republican, then as Democratic-Republican, and finally as Democratic, a name still retained. The Democratic party is strongest in the South. The following presidents have been elected by the Democratic Party:
| Thomas Jefferson, | Martin Van Buren, |
| James Madison, | James K. Polk, |
| James Monroe, | Franklin Pierce, |
| Andrew Jackson, | James Buchanan, |
| Grover Cleveland. |
If we except the administration of George Washington, who was elected by the whole people, we may say that the Democratic administrations have extended over 56 of the 112 years from the inauguration of John Adams in 1797 to 1909, the end of the term for which Roosevelt was elected.
See Republican