political party unit
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Visual resources for Unit on Political Parties in AmericaTRANSCRIPT
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
