In 1789, George Washington's presidency helped form national unity among the states. However, the 1790s focused primarily on American politics and a set of differences over what the government should or should not do. These are two different beliefs that constituted the first two political party systems of our government. By the time America's political parties were created, the country had been engulfed in a world known as the "Age of Passion" (Foner 222). Political divisions began to emerge in the 1790s, shortly after George Washington appointed Alexander Hamilton as secretary. of Treasurer. Hamilton's primary goal was "to establish the financial stability of the nation, provide government support from the nation's most powerful financial interests, and encourage economic development" (Foner 223). He wanted to make the United States a major commercial and military power. It was with this in mind that Hamilton designed a five-part financial plan between 1790 and 1791. The parts included creating solvency by assuming the debt of the states, creating a new national debt, creating a Bank of the United States that would function as the nation's primary bank. financial, by proposing a tax on whiskey producers and, last but not least, by imposing customs duties and providing government subsidies to industries. Hamilton and his supporters believed in a strong federal government run by the most elite and wealthy. His strong support came from American financiers, wealthy farmers, manufacturers, lawyers, merchants, and, in his words, “the rich, the able, and the well-born” (Foner 226). Unfortunately for Hamilton, Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson and James Madison opposed his financial plans for the nation. The majority of opponents... middle of paper ......the Northern States had not yet repaid their debts. Republicans considered the bank unconstitutional and did not like that the Federalists supported Northern businesses just like the bank. A conflict between the Northern and Southern economies had become an important contribution to the national bank's opposition. Overall, American policy in the 1790s was a crucial part of the new nation's future. Disagreements between political parties inspired the formation of several Democratic-Republican corporations that gained participation in public affairs and the right to debate political issues. Needless to say, the conflict between Hamiltonian Federalists and Jeffersonian Republicans produced one of the strongest periods in American history. Works Cited Foner, Eric. Give me freedom! An American novel. New York: WW Norton & Company, 2012. Print.