American Political Parties (1860 – Today) When Abe Lincoln wins the election of 1860 – ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE! – CIVIL WAR!

Civil War…what changed? North won! – Southern citizens are allowed back into the country No penalty given for starting war However, – They hate Lincoln and Republicans! – 1865 » Lincoln assassinated by John Wilkes Booth Confederate supporter

What’s next for America? Industrial Revolution – Begins around 1870’s Why does this matter? – North becomes industrialized Factories Railroads Big business – South stays rural Business = farms

What does the I.R. mean for politics? Republican party – Led by politicians from the North – Supported by newly freed African Americans Antislavery democrats Wanted huge government to help rebuild nation Democrats – Supported by Slavery supporters in South Farmers Wanted small government to keep out of South

And then came William Jennings Bryan Democratic Congressman from Nebraska – Ran for POTUS – Called for a “conservative America” Go back to Christian fundamentals This began the transition of ‘democrats’ to modern day “republicans” – Wanted to go back to TJ’s Democratic-Republic days.

After 1908 Republicans are today’s republicans – Conservative – Small business – Based in South Bible Belt – Rugged Individualism

And the Democrats…. When W.J. Bryan changed Democrats to Republican beliefs – Democrats became the liberals Help big business High taxes to help poor population in big cities Based in big city states

So here they are…. Democrats – Focus on social issues Gay rights Help for elderly and sick Education for all – Foreign policy Work with other nations to secure world peace – Government role Federal government should help all states equally Republicans – Social Issues Against gay rights Privatized insurance Education for those who can pay for it. – Foreign Policy Isolationism Only do what helps USA – Government Role Small federal government that lets states do what they want

Famous Republican Presidents since Abe Lincoln Herbert Hoover ( ) – Built the Hoover Dam Gave electricity to 1/3 of America. Dwight D. Eisenhower ( ) – General during WWII Richard Nixon ( ) – Vietnam – Watergate George Bush I and II ( ) and ( ) – War in Iraq I – War in Iraq II

Famous Democrat Presidents Woodrow Wilson ( ) – President during WWI Helped with the Treaty of Versailles FDR ( ) – President during WWII New Deal – Social Security JFK ( ) – Started Civil Rights movement Bill Clinton ( ) – Pays off government deficit for first time in almost 100 years

So what about third parties? Third Parties – Any political party that runs against the main 2 in a two party system – Led by an independent Candidate not associated with anyone. – Most recent: (2008) Green Party: Ron Paul (1996) Reform Party: Ross Perot

Splinter Parties Parties that break from within a major political party – Democrats Socialist Party – Republicans Prohibition Party Union Party Tea Party?

Homework….. Pg ,2,3 Pg ,2,3,4