The US t wo-party system

The US two-party system

RepublicansGOP (Grand Old Party)

Democrats

The Two Party system

• By 1890 there were two clearly defined political parties in the USA.

• Both were strongly influenced by the Civil War.• Neither party was united in its beliefs. Both

were loose coalitions linking together varied groups and local issues.

• Both parties contained traditional and reforming elements.

• The 1896 election – the election that changed presidential campaigns forever.

• 90% turnout; • Record high campaign costs; • ended 3rd party system, • realigned parties

– led to a 16-year domination by the Republican Party.• In 1912 GOP dominance broken by Wilson (Democrat)

won because of fractions within the Republican Party rather than the strength of the Democrats.

• Since Truman, the parties have tended to switch every two terms

The Two Party system

United States Presidential results between 1896 and 1932

Key:Extremely dark blue: Voted Democratic 8 out of 8 timesBlue: Voted Democratic 6 out of 8 timesLight blue: Voted Democratic 5 out of 8 timesGreen: Voted for each party 4 out of 8 timesPink: Voted Republican 5 out of 8 timesRed: Voted Republican 6 out of 8 timesDark red: Voted Republican 7 out of 8 timesVery dark red: Voted Republican 8 out 8 times

Evolution of the South

• The Democrats were traditionally in the South from the Age of Jackson through the 1970s and 1980s. This is known as the Solid South.

• Once Eisenhower becomes president in the election of 1952, the Republicans start to break into the Solid South.

• Since Reagan (1980), the South votes traditionally Republican.

US Presidents 1896-1980 year victor party issue

•1984 Ronald Reagan Republican Moral Majority/Cold War•1980 Ronald Reagan Republican Moral Majority/Cold War•1976 Jimmy Carter Democrat Nixon scandals •1972 Richard M. Nixon Republican Silent Majority/Vietnam War•1968 Richard M. Nixon Republican Silent Majority/Vietnam War •1964 Lyndon B. Johnson Democrat Civil rights •1960 John F. Kennedy Democrat Recession, missile gap •1956 Dwight D. Eisenhower Republican Prosperity •1952 Dwight D. Eisenhower Republican Korean War •1948 Harry S. Truman Democrat Do Nothing Congress •1944 Franklin D. Roosevelt Democrat World War II •1940 Franklin D. Roosevelt Democrat World War II, FDR 3rd term •1936 Franklin D. Roosevelt Democrat New Deal, Social Security• 1932 Franklin D. Roosevelt Democrat Great Depression• 1928 Herbert C. Hoover Republican Boom, anti-Catholicism •1924 Calvin Coolidge Republican Prosperity •1920 Warren G. Harding Republican Normalcy •1916 Woodrow Wilson Democrat World War I• 1912 Woodrow Wilson Democrat Republican split •1908 William H. Taft Republican Class warfare• 1904 Theodore Roosevelt Republican Square Deal •1900 William McKinley Republican Spanish-American War• 1896 William McKinley Republican Silver/Gold Tariffs

Democrats vs. Republicans

Republican HistoryDemocrat History

•Party founded just before Civil War in 1854•1st Republican President: Abraham Lincoln•Seen as a “northerner” party in beginning•After 1964 (Civil Rights movement): stronghold in the south, the Great Plains and Southwest rural areas

•Traditionally seen as the southern party•Since split in Republican Party in 1912 election, Democrats to the left of Republicans on social and fiscal issues•Over time many supporters from workers in Northern cities•Shift in regional alliances in 1964: Civil Rights Movement•Stronghold today in Northeast, Great Lakes region and West coast urban population

Democrats vs. Republicans

Republican Beliefs & SupportDemocrat Beliefs & Support

•Conservative (fiscally and socially)•States rights over Federal rights•Tax cuts, reducing social programs•Laisser-faire for government•Reliance on private sector as stimulus for economic growth•Dominant foreign policy•Favor increasing military spending•Oppose gun control laws•Far right: pro-religion, anti-bureaucracy, pro-military, pro-business and pro-personal responsibility (Tea party)•Self-reliance and freedom

•Liberal•Strong Federal Government= taxes•Social programs•Community and social justice•Environmental laws•Anti-discrimination laws•Education•Favor less increase in military spending•Favor gun control laws•Supported by minority groups: Catholics, Hispanics, blacks•Opportunity and equality

US Presidential Elections: Starter Activity

Look at each electoral map.What do these maps tell you about the two party system in the

USA?

Who won? How popular are the parties?

Is there a Geographical

pattern?

Are there anyMajor

changes?

1944 1948

1956

1964

1984

1968

Recent Trends

Political Polarization two main political parties are drifting

further from each other ideologically Americans are far more likely to be

consistently conservative or consistently liberal than they were 10 or 20 years ago

Source: Pew Research Center, 2014 Report

Video: The Evolution of America’s Major Political Parties

• 3’53 – 6’47– Major evolution from early 20th century to modern

day• Immigration• Tariffs• Business• Working class• Realignment in party affiliation due to role of gov’t

Video: Ted Talk

• Liberal Conservative Views in U.S. Politics– Open-mindedness vs. closed-mindedness