Since the Puritans' search for religious freedom led then to the New World, America has had a dynamic history of asserting its democratic ideals. The colonists' rebellion against British rule set the stage for independence and an unprecedented constitutional government. Thereafter, American politics was imbued with partisan rivalries. The early leadership of theFederalists relied upon the aristocratic rich. Soon, however, they yielded to Thomas Jefferson's party which became known as the Democratic Party in Andrew Jackson's time.