Origins of The Political Parties Both the Democratic and Whig parties originated from the Democratic-Republican Party that dominated politics in the early 1800s. Both were factions that branched off from the Democratic- Republicans after the 1824 elections.

Democrats The Democratic Party was founded in 1828 and is the same party that exists today. Andrew Jackson was the party’s first major leader. Democrats were in favor of states’ rights and did not like the federal government’s involvement in social and economic affairs. They were against the Protective Tariff and the national bank, which Jackson worked to bring down.

Democratic Ideals They glorified the individual and believed everyone could hold office. Democrats also favored rapid territorial and external growth. They supported the Mexican War. Democrats still thought the ideal citizen was a regular farmer who made a living off the land.

Whigs The Whig Party was active from 1833 to 1856, when it broke into even more factions. In the beginning, the party was held together by an opposition of Jackson. The Whigs were in favor of a stronger federal government that was dominated by Congress. They supported the Protective Tariff and the national bank. Believed in the natural harmony of society and the value of community.

Whig Ideals Whigs were industrialists and nationalists, more common in the north. They were in favor of gradual territorial expansion and internal improvements, like public schools and transportation. Eventually, the Whig Party branched off into the Free Soil Party, the Know-Nothing Party, and the modern Republican Party.

Birth of the Republican Party The Know-Nothing Party: (AKA The American Party) Started a group that favored native born Americans over Immigrants. Split over the issue of slavery and so could not get a candidate elected. Liberty Party: Began very small in the 1840’s. Were able to help give the vote to Polk for President in 1844 and not Clay. They wanted to abolish slavery by passing laws. Free Soil Party: Opposed the spread of slavery and nominated Van Buren for President. They tended to support laws that prohibited black settlement in their communities and denied blacks the right to vote. Did not like the impact slave labor had on white workers.

Birth of the Republican party In 1854 Unhappy Northern Whigs, anti-slavery Democrats and Free-Soilers met to form the Republican Party. Their main competition would be the Know-Nothing Party. They had some wide-varying views but they did agree on the following: They opposed the Kansas-Nebraska Act. They did not want slaves in the New territories. In the 1856 election they nominated John Freemont. The Know-nothings split their vote between Freemont and President Fillmore. Due to this split the Democratic nominee, James Buchanan, won the election.

Split in the Democratic Party The Election of 1860: The democratic Party could not agree on how to address the issue of slavery in their platform. Because of this the party split in two. The Northern Democrats: The Northern Democrats nominated Stephen Douglas for President. Douglas was a proponent of popular sovereignty to decide the issue of slavery in the territories. The Southern Democrats: The Southern Democrats nominated John Breckenridge for President. Breckenridge ran on a Pro-slavery platform. He wanted to preserve the property and rights of slave-holders. The split in the democratic party caused them to lose the election of 1860. They also lost the support the party needed to gain power. This split in ideals led to the party losing much of its political power.

Questions Answer the following questions fully. Be sure to cite evidence from the notes. Give me a summary of what the Democratic Party believed in. Give me a summary of what the Whig Party believed in. What was the one issue the Know-Nothing Party truly stood for? What was the goal of the Liberty Party? Was the Free Soil Party actually trying to help blacks? Why or why not? What views did all in the Republican Party believe in? Based on those beliefs what can you say their stance was on slavery? Why did the Democratic party lose the election of 1860? What issued caused the split in the Democratic Party? How could they have resolved their differences so there was no split?