Political Party Unit

Political Parties in America

• DEMOCRATS• REPUBLICANS

Major Parti es in America

• Definition:–Strong support of a political party and

their policies.

Partisanship

• Parties act as ‘watchdogs’ over the conduct of the people’s business.

• When is this particularly true?– When a party is out of

power (does not control the executive branch)

Watchdog

• Definition:–Opposed to the party in power but loyal

to the people and the nation.

Loyal Opposition

• Argument over the ratification of the new Constitution.

1. Federalists2. Anti-Federalists– Democratic-Republicans

Origin of Two-Party System

PA Congressional Districts

PA District 13

PA Election Results in 2008

• Definition:–The largest number of

votes for an office.– NOTE: a plurality need

not be a majority (which is more than half of all votes cast)

Plurality

• Definition:–When both major political parties work

together on an issue.

BIPARTISANSHIP

• The one-party system is really a NO PARTY system.• Usually found in dictatorships today.

One-Party System

• Formed around Alexander Hamilton.

• Appealed to financial, manufacturing and commercial interests.

• Wanted a strong national government and executive.

• What was their view of the Constitution? – Liberal (loose) interpretation

Federalists

• Key leader Thomas Jefferson.• Appealed to shopkeepers,

laborers, farmers and planters.

• Wanted a limited national government where Congress would have more power.

• What was their view of the Constitution?– Strict interpretation

Democratic-Republicans

• Jefferson’s election in 1800 marked the beginning of Democrat domination until the Civil War.

• The Whig Party were able to win 2 presidencies because they ran war heroes:– William Harrison 9th and Zachary Taylor 12th

Era of Democrats 1800-1860

• Starting with Lincoln, the GOP dominated the national scene for 75 years.

• Who did the Republicans get support from?– Business/financial interests and newly freed slaves

Era of Republicans 1860-1932

Republicans Democrats

Candidate

Supporters

Issues

ELECTION OF 1896

• The Great Depression returned the Democrats to national prominence until 1968.

• What was their new electoral base?– Southerners, unions, big-city political machines, minorities

Return of Democrats 1932-1968

• What issues did the Democrats struggle with in 1968?– Civil Rights, Vietnam War, social issues

• Define Divided Government– One party controls Executive Branch (Presidency), other

party controls the Legislative Branch (Congress)

The Start of a New Era 1968 -

• Minor parties are numerous in America.

• Often short lived, but can play an important role in the American political process

• There are (4) distinct types of minor parties in America….

The Minor Parties in America

Particular set of beliefs = view of social, economic, and

political matters

Greenback Party

Populist Party

Real or imagined enemies = bankers or

monetary system