The Evolution of American Political Parties 6 Defining Eras Organized Around Realigning Elections

1796-1824 (1800 Realignment) Era characterized by single party domination Initially only one “party”: Federalists Democratic-Republican Party created by Jefferson to oppose Hamiltonian ideas Demise of the Federalists in 1800 election Dominance of the Democratic-Republicans through “Era of Good Feelings

1824-1860 (1828 Realignment) Rise of the two party system Whigs National Organizations “Grass Roots” Organizations Whigs Party of business Belief in government operating for the benefit of business Democrats Party of the “average man Belief in government operating to oppose privilege and elitism

1860-1896 1860 Realignment Demise of the Whigs Split of the Democrats Birth of the Republicans Issues of slavery and the Union identifies the parties Republicans: dominant party identified with abolition and union Democrats: permanent minority centered in the old Confederacy

1896-1932 (1896 Realignment) Continuation of Republican dominance but with different defining issues Republican coalition centered in urban America Tight money Progress Secularism Democratic coalition centered in rural America “Easy money” (loose monetary policy) Traditional values Religion

1896-1932 (continued) Areas of single party dominance Nascent Progressive-Old Guard split in the Republican party

1932-1968 (1932 Realignment) Dominance of the Democrats FDR Coalition of urban dwellers, labor, blacks, Catholics, immigrants, the poor, and the South Belief that the governmentr should intervene in the economy to help the needy and to regulate business Republican Party Business and the Old Guard Belief that the government should leave business to the market

1968-Present(?) Era of Divided Government Winning formulas FDR coalition cracks Rise of Independents and “Ticket-Splitters” Winning formulas Democrats: reestablish FDR coalition Republicans: unite business, south, social conservatives, and suburbs