Yes, a strong national government was part of the platform of the Democratic-Republican Party. The party was founded in 1792 by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, and it was the first major political party in the United States. The party advocated for a strong federal government with limited powers, and it was opposed to the Federalist Party, which favored a strong central government. The Democratic-Republican Party was in power from 1801 to 1825, and during this time, it was responsible for the Louisiana Purchase, the War of 1812, and the establishment of the Second Bank of the United States.
