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Political Parties and Elections in the U.S.24/10/14

+How did political parties begin?

Remember The Federalist Papers? Federalists v. Antifederalists

Alexander Hamilton v. Thomas Jefferson

1790s Federalists v. Democratic-Republicans

1796 Election John Adams becomes the second president First president elected on a partisan basis

+How did political parties begin?

After 1796 Federalist party decline

Could not garner more support Alien and Sedition Acts John Adams opened diplomatic relationship with France Party dead by 1828

Huge legacy Thomas Jefferson

Democratic-Republican party Wins in 1800 election

Defeats John Adams reelection attempt Wins again in 1804

+Democratic-Republicans

Jefferson (1801-09)

James Madison (1809-1817)

James Monroe (1817-1825)

After 1825 Split in Democratic-Republicans

Into Whig Party Democrats led by Andrew Jackson

+Andrew Jackson and Jacksonian Democrats

President from 1829-1837

Led what came to be known as the Democratic party States’ rights Farming Democratic beliefs

+In Opposition: Whig Party

Led by Henry Clay

Very diverse party Difference in beliefs But they voted together

Supported Banks Education reform Preferred by free blacks

Abolitionists

+The Issue of Slavery (1850s)

Argument over slavery caused downfall of Whigs v. Democrats Split in Democrats

Northern Democrats oppose slavery Join new party: Republicans

Abolition Southern Democrats supported slavery

Split in Whig party Southern Whigs joined Democrats

Even if they disagreed economically

SLAVERY and PRESERVATION OF THE UNION came to dominate politics

+Abraham Lincoln

Elected in 1861 as first Republican president Southern states secede

Republican party rules until 1932

+What are the two political parties?

Democratic PartyBlueLeft

Republican PartyRedRight

+Democratic Party

Generally considered more liberal

Stronger federal government

Federally financed social services

Protection of civil rights

Strong separation of church and state

Internationalism and Multilateralism

+Republican party

Generally considered more conservative

More power to states Decentralized power

Support lower taxes Oppose government regulation of economy

More aggressive defensive stance

Stronger private structure Less government spending on social services

+Why has the U.S. always had two parties?

Several reasons are possible Winner-Take-All System

Officials are elected from single-member district and win position by being the “first-past-the-post” They get the most votes and there isn’t

proportional amounts involved You are either “in” or “out”

Historical Began with two parties and then continued

Two-sides to an issue and shared values Both parties agree on the Constitution Most arguments over an issue with two opposing sides

+Do third parties exist?

Yes Although they aren’t very successful

For example H. Ross Perot’s Reform Party

1998 Jesse Ventura becomes governor of MN

First third party candidate

+Functions of Political Parties in U.S.

Choose candidates to put up for election Organize campaigns Make is easier for voters

“Straight ticket”

Party not in power checks other party

Inform voters about issues that are important

Organize the government Congressional leadership

+Electoral College

Americans technically do not vote directly for the President and Vice President

They vote in their state for a group of “electors” Number of electors= representatives + senators

538 total electoral votes Presidential candidate must win an ABSOLUTE majority

Plurality of votes= all electoral votes to that party

Created as part of federalism!

+Elections

Who can vote? All men and women who are citizens and 18 or older

Held every 2 years on the first Tuesday (following first Monday) in November State and local elections normally on same day

Sometimes at other times Every 4 years for President Every 2 years for all House members and 1/3 of Senators

+How many people vote in the US?

In 2012 Presidential election, 61.8% of citizens did

Why? Voting is voluntary You have to register

+Primary and General Elections

Primary elections Held prior to general elections to decide on a candidate

Presidential primary Party nominees are chosen at the party’s national

convention Each state has delegates Decide on party platform

General elections President, congressperson, etc.

are elected