Chapter 9, Section 1 Development of American Political Parties

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Chapter 9, Section 1Development of American
Political Parties
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Main Idea

• Shortly after our nations birth, political
  leaders formed parties in an attempt to gain
  control of decision making in our government.

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• I. The Two Party System (218-219)
• A. Political Party- an association of voters
  with broad common interests who want to influence
  government decision making.
• Anyone may join a political party. You
  simply register.
• B. Two-Party System- United States has had two
  major parties since 1860. Dems and Reps

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• C. Thomas Jefferson- wanted less power for the
  national government and more power to the states.
  Called his group the Democratic-Republican party
  in 1828.
• In 1829 Jefferson stepped down, his party was
  taken over by Andrew Jackson who turned the party
  into our modern day Democrats.

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• D. Alexander Hamilton- Wanted strong national
  government and a strong president. His group was
  called the Federalists.
• Whigs eventually took over as Federalists
  faded away.

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• E. Whigs- Rose in 1830, Whigs and Democrats
  remained the two major political parties until
  1850.
• In 1854, breakaway Democrats and Whigs who
  opposed slavery formed the Republican Party.
• Lincoln became the first Republican president
  in 1860. Ever since, Republicans and Democrats
  have been the two major parties!

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• II. Third Parties
• A. Third Parties- sometimes challenge the two
  major parties. Have never won a presidential
  election.
• B. Populist Party- formed in the 1890s. Made up
  of laborers and farmers. Never won the election
  but their ideas were adopted. Two main ideas
• 1. Direct Election of Senators
• 2. Eight Hour Work Day

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Third Parties in the U.S

• Alaskan Independence Party (1984 present)
• America First Party (2002 present)
• American Nazi Party (1959 - present)
• American Party (1969 present)
• American Fascist Party (unknown - present)
• American Patriot Party (2003 present)
• American Reform Party (1997 present)
• Centrist Party (United States) (2006 - present)
• Charter Party of Cincinnati, Ohio (1924
  present)
• Christian Freedom Party (2004 present)
• Communist League (US) (2004 present)
• Communist Party USA (1919 present)
• Covenant Party (Northern Mariana Islands)
• Free People's Movement (2002 present)
• Freedom Road Socialist Organization (1969 -
  present)
• Ku Klux Klan (1866 - present)

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Cont.

• Marijuana Party (2002 present)
• Marijuana Reform Party (New York) (1997
  present)
• Mountain Party (West Virginia) (2000 present)
• National Socialist Movement (1974 present)
• New American Independent Party (2004-present)
• New Party (1992 1998)
• New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico (1967
  present)
• New Union Party (1974 present)
• New York State Right to Life Party (1970
  present)
• Peace and Freedom Party (1967 present)
• Personal Choice Party (1997 present)
• Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico (1938
  present)
• Progressive Party of Washington (1912-1960 and
  2003 to present)
• Prohibition Party (1867 present)

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• C. Progressive Party- Created by Teddy Roosevelt.
  Called the Bull Moose Party. He won enough
  votes away from Taft(R), that Woodrow Wilson (D)
  won.

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• Some third parties arise to promote social,
  economic, and moral issues.
• D. Single Issue Party- Have only one issue in
  which they run on.
• Prohibitionists. Wanted the outlaw of
  alcohol.

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• E. Ideological Parties- Focus on changing society
  in major ways.
• 1. Communist Party- favors government
• ownership.
• 2. Libertarian Party wants more individual
  freedoms.
• 3. Green Party- Opposes power of corporations.

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• Some third parties form around well-known
  individuals who cannot get support from a major
  party.
• Third-Party candidates must obtain a large
  amount of signatures to get on the ballot
• . Republican and Democratic candidates are
  automatically placed on the ballot.

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• F. Most voters favor a major party.
• G. Third parties have trouble raising enough
  money to compete with the big two.
• http//www.opensecrets.org/pres08/index.asp

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• III. Other Party Systems
• Two party systems are rare.
• A. Most democracies have multi-party systems.
• B. In a one-party system, the government and
  party are nearly the same thing.
• In China, the Peoples Republic of China, is
  the only party ALLOWED to exist (Communist).

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• One-Party systems also exist in non-Communist
  nations. Muslim leaders control Irans Islamic
  Republican Party. Other parties are outlawed.

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• IV. Todays Major Parties
• Major parties differ mainly in their belief
  on how much government should be involved in your
  daily lives.

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• A. Democrats- believe government should be more
  involved in regulating the economy and providing
  for the poor. Increase taxes on those who
  make 250
• B. Republicans- believe that if they help the
  economy grow, poor people will have a better
  chance to find jobs for themselves. They believe
  in less regulation. trickle down economics

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• Both parties adopt mainstream ideas and avoid
  extreme positions.
• C. Platform- Series of statements expressing the
  partys principles, beliefs, and positions on
  issues.
• D. Plank- each individual part of a platform.

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Mini Quiz!!! Hot Chocolate- Winner

• 1. Name our two major political parties
• 2. What type of party system does the United
  States have?
• 3. Name two types of third parties
• 4. Has a third party ever won an election?
• 5. Name two Communist nations
• 6. Who was the leader of the Bull Moose Party?