Democratic-Republican Societies were local political organizations formed in the United States in 1793 and 1794 to promote republicanism and democracy and to fight aristocratic tendencies. They were independent of each other and had no coordinating body. Historians use the term "Democratic-Republican" to describe the societies, but that name was rarely used by the societies themselves. They usually called themselves "Democratic," "Republican," "True Republican," "Constitutional," "United Freeman," "Patriotic," "Political," "Franklin," or "Madisonian."<ref>Foner found only two that used the actual term "Democratic-Republican," including the "Democratic-Republican Society of Dumfries," Virginia, 1794. Foner, ed., 'The Democratic-Republican Societies, pp 350, 370.</ref> The Germans of Philadelphia began the first society in April 1793 and were inspired by Peter Muhlenberg. Philadelphia was then the national capital, and soon, an English-speaking society was formed in the city by David Rittenhouse, Charles Biddle (a prominent Quaker merchant), Dr. George Logan, and Alexander J. Dallas. Its charter was widely copied. At least 35 societies had sprung up by 1795, located in most important American cities. Many leaders soon became active in Thomas Jefferson's Democratic-Republican Party, a national political party that he founded. As foreign affairs became dominant issues of the day, members of such groups opposed the British, rallied behind Jefferson, and proclaimed their friendship with the revolutionary French Republic. Activities The societies usually met once a month, more often during election season. Applicants for membership had to have five members attest to their "firm and steadfast friend of EQUAL RIGHTS OF MAN" and a couple of members could blackball an applicant. "Apostasy from Republican principles" was ground for expulsion. Officers were rotated regularly, in one case every month. The societies politicked in local elections officially or quietly. They often joined parades and celebrations of July 4 and were credited in 1794 with having made that day "more universally celebrated" than it had been. They also celebrated July 14, the French Bastille Day. Some societies engaged in direct action to help France in its war with Britain, such as by equipping French privateers. Endless discussions and rounds of resolutions fill the minute books; most common were general addresses and resolutions critical of the Washington administration. In the western states, members of the societies agitated against the British for holding the frontier posts and against the Spanish for closing the Mississippi River. In the eastern states, they denounced Britain for "piracy" against American shipping. In the Carolinas, they demanded a uniform