History of the Nomination Process & Presidential Elections MT. 4, LT. 2

1800 – “Revolution” of 1800 Jefferson (Democratic- Republican) defeats Adams (Federalist) First peaceful transfer of power First Political Party System

1804 – 12 th Amendment Required separate votes for President and Vice President Ensured Pres. & V.P. came from same party Last major reform to the Electoral College

1824 – The “Corrupt Bargain” John Q. Adams defeats Andrew Jackson Last time a “tie” election was decided by the House of Representatives Splits Democratic- Republicans into Second Party System = Whigs vs. Democrats

1832 – First Nominating Conventions Democrats hold first nominating convention Re-nominate President Andrew Jackson Ensured party unity behind one candidate Conventions would be dominated by party leaders and political machine bosses

– Beginnings of Modern Political Party Era Republicans formed as an anti-slavery party Abraham Lincoln becomes first Republican president Start of Third Party System = Republicans vs. Democrats

1910 – First Primary Elections Began as a Progressive Era Reform Allowed voters a say in the selection of party candidates Considered more democratic = took power away from party leadership

1920 – Women’s Suffrage 19 th Amendment gives women the right to vote

1952 – The Television Era Candidate Dwight Eisenhower runs the first campaign ad “I Like Ike” Further weakened party control over elections More focus on the individual candidate and their “image”

1960 – First Televised Debates Candidates John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon debate face-to-face on television Better performance on TV gives JFK narrow win

1965 – Voting Rights for African- Americans 15 th Amendment had granted right to vote to Blacks Voting Rights Act of 1965 removed legal barriers Ban on literacy tests and poll taxes

– The New Media Bill Clinton = first candidate to use “new media” First use of Internet for campaigning Social Media = Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.

2000 – The Disputed Election George W. Bush is elected President despite losing popular vote Renewed criticisms of the Electoral College system

Nominations & Elections Today

Primary Elections Then: - Party bosses chose party nominees - Delegates controlled by political machines Now: - Most states hold primary elections - Voters decide party nominees - Progressive era reform

Nomination Process Nominating Convention - First held by Democrats under Andrew Jackson - Delegates choose a Presidential and Vice Presidential Candidate - Party Platform* *statement of party’s goals and principles

Electoral College President actually chosen by Electoral College - state’s electoral vote = Representatives + Senators - Winner take all system - President can lose popular vote and win electoral vote

Summary Primary elections narrow down field of candidates Long primary “season” = low voter turnout Nominating conventions less important Despite criticisms, Electoral College remains important Candidates focus on “battleground” states