History of American Political Parties From 1792 to the cluster bomb of today.

Washington’s Powerful Warning "However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion." Farewell Address | Saturday, September 17, 1796

Thoughts on parties Political parties were not really a thing anywhere in the world. Most of the founding fathers considered parties harmful and divisive to the new nation. The Constitution makes no mention of political parties.

Wait wait wait…why the donkey & elephant? Both symbols created by 19th century cartoonist Thomas Nash. Democrat Donkey created in 1828 when Andrew Jackson (first Democratic candidate) was called a jackass by opponents. He owned it. Nash drew a cartoon involving an elephant running from a donkey in wolfs clothing and labeled it ”the Republican vote”. It caught on.

The Federalists – the first political party Alexander Hamilton (Secretary of Treasury) believed in a centralized government and the importance of a fiscally sound nation. He founded the Federalists in the early 1790s, composed mostly of bankers and businessmen.

Federalist beliefs Strong, centralized government Establishment of a central bank Increased use of tariffs for decrease national debt Establishment of good relations with Great Britain

The Democratic-Republicans - the opposing party Thomas Jefferson and James Madison disagreed with the beliefs of the Federalist Party. They establish the Democratic-Republican party which appealed to farmers, planters, artisans, rural/Southern populations

Democratic-Republican Beliefs Demanded states’ rights – limit federal government power Wary of an expansive view of the Constitution, especially Hamilton’s National Bank Wanted strong relations with France, who they viewed as more democratic than the former oppressor, Great Britain.

The Country Divides By the mid 1800s, the country had become greatly divided by geography. Plantations of the South Industrial North Frontier West The issue of slavery is also simmering…

Modern Parties in the 20th Century Democrats and Republicans remain cordial (and pass the presidency back and forth) until the 1930s. Great Depression and FDR’s “New Deal” divides the nation. Democrats believe the Government should intervene to help struggling citizens by establishing social programs. Republicans think the government is intervening too much and creating a welfare state.

The Origins of the Democratic Party Founded in 1828 out of the Democratic-Republican split by Andrew Jackson. Oldest active political party in the world Began as a fairly moderate party – but split into Northern and Southern Democrats in the mid 1800’s because of slavery. Southern Democrats are pro-slavery After the Civil War end, Democrats hold the South until the modern Civil Rights Movement (1960s)

Current Democratic Ideology Government support, intervention and regulation in the economic and social spheres. Federal support via programs like welfare, Medicare, Medicaid. Strong, but more limited defense Liberal social beliefs (social and economic equality) Majority in the west and northeast

The Origins of the Republican Party Founded by anti-slavery activists in the North in 1854. Dominated the Northern voting block. Known as the Grand Old Party (GOP) Abraham Lincoln becomes first Republican President in 1860 with the goal of containing the expansion of slavery, especially its movement westward. Republican’s joined with Northern War Democrats in 1864 to reelect Lincoln.

Current Republican Ideology Free market capitalism and deregulation Less federal government intervention Strong defense Social conservative values (usually anti-abortion, same sex marriage) with a Christian morality. Majority in the South and the Midwest and among religious conservatives.

Today: Third Party Platforms / Candidates

Looking at 3rd Parties Groups of four will be given the party platform of four parties: Libertarian Party (Gary Johnson for President) Green Party (Jill Stein for President) Reform Party (Rocky De La Fuente) Constitution Party (Darrell Castle for President) Take time to read and explore these party platforms, taking notes on the major issues you see that each party promotes in your notebook. Note anything that you are surprised by, confused by, intrigued by. Consider why you think these parties do not get mainstream recognition by the media and the American people.