Rising Tension Between the Parties
Tensions between the Federalists and Democratic-Republicans ran high. At times, that distrust turned violent, as you can see in this political cartoon. In 1798, a fight broke out on the congressional floor between Democratic-Republican Matthew Lyon of Vermont and Federalist Roger Griswold of Connecticut. Griswold supported the hard diplomatic line that President John Adams had adopted against France, which angered Lyon.
Congressional Pugilists, 1798. Click on the image to view a larger version.
Take Notes
1. What do you see in this image? | |
2. What is happening in this image? | |
3. What might this image suggest about the relationship between Democratic-Republican and Federalist politicians? | |
4. Why do you think politicians were willing to use violence as a way to solve political disagreement? | |
5. To what extent does this image challenge or reinforce your perception of American politics after the American Revolution? |
