The Democratic-Republican Party was founded in the early 1790s by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison as a response to the policies of the Federalist Party. It advocated for states' rights, agrarian interests, and a strict interpretation of the U.S. Constitution. The party aimed to limit the power of the federal government and promote individual liberties. Throughout the early 19th century, the Democratic-Republican Party became the dominant political force in the United States. It eventually split into factions, leading to the emergence of the Democratic Party and the Whig Party. The party's influence waned by the 1830s, marking a significant shift in American political dynamics.