Political Parties

1
Political Parties

• Two Party System in American Politics

2
Two Party System in American Politics

• The two-party system began with the ratification
  of the Constitution. Many of those who wanted the
  Constitution-the Federalists-were from rich
  families. They were concerned about the nations
  economy. After the States approved the
  Constitution, the Federalists continued to work
  for a strong central government. The
  Anti-Federalists, who were against the
  Constitution, were on the side of the common
  persons. They wanted a limited national
  government. With Thomas Jefferson as their
  leader, they also were called the Jefferson
  Republicans. This name was later changed to
  Democratic-Republicans and finally, to the
  Democratic party.
• American history has four major political party
  eras. In the first three eras, one party
  controlled both the presidency and Congresses are
  now in the fourth period, one of divided
  government.

3
Two Party System in American Politics

• The election of Thomas Jefferson began a time of
  power for the Democrats that lasted until the
  Civil War. The Democrats were a coalition of
  small farmers, debtors, pioneers, and
  slavewowners. During Andrew Jackson presidency,
  the Whig party challenged the Democrats. The
  Whigs were a group of bankers and business owners
  from the East Coat and plantation owners from the
  South. By the 1850's, the issue of slavery
  divided both parties. In 1854 a coalition of
  Whigs and antislavery Democrats formed the modern
  Republican party.
• The election of Abraham Lincoln and the start of
  the civil War marked the beginning of Republican
  power. Business people, farmers, workers, and
  newly freed African Americans backed this party.
  The Democrats survived, though, because they had
  many members in the South. The election of 1896
  showed how strong the Republicans were. Even
  after years of hard times and worker protests,
  voters elected William McKinley, a Republican.

4
Two Party System in American Politics

• The way life was during the Great Depression
  changed many peoples attitudes about what
  government should do. Democrats built a strong
  new base of southerners, small farmers, labor
  union members, and city people. Franklin d.
  Roosevelt was elected to four terms as President.
  Harry S. Truman, a Democrat, followed him. The
  only republican president during this time was
  war hero Dwight D Eisenhower. In 1960, John F.
  Kennedy brought the Democrats back to the White
  House.
• In the 1960's the Vietnam war and social issues
  divided the Democratic party. In 1968 Americans
  elected Republican Richard M. Nixon. He was
  reelected in 1972 but had to resign in 1974
  because of the Watergate scandal. The Democrats
  made a comeback in 1976 with the election of
  Jimmy Carter. Voters were unhappy about the weak
  economy and Watergate.
• By the 1980's the American attitudes changed.
  They wanted a less involved government, so they
  elected Republican Presidents Ronald Regan and
  George Bush. Yet the 1992 election of Bill
  Clinton and his reelecton in 1996 brought the
  presidency back to the Democrats for the end of
  the twentieth century.

5
Two Party System in American Politics

• During much of this last era, we have a divided
  government. This is when no party controls both
  the legislative and executive branches. Divided
  government can cause gridlock. This means that
  the President and Congress have so many
  differences, they cannot work together.