Page: _____ Political Parties: Democrats v. republicans Write down notes in yellow

Two party System In the United States, we have a two party system: Democrats and Republicans There are more then just two parties, but these two are the parties that are focused on the most. ***a political party is a group of like minded people who share common ideas about government*****

Five Roles of Political Parties Nominate Candidates Create Balance Influence Polices Unit (bring together) Government Inform Citizens

Democrats Founded in 1824 Color: Blue Animal: Donkey The now-famous Democratic donkey was first associated with Democrat Andrew Jackson's 1828 presidential campaign. His opponents called him a a donkey, and Jackson decided to use the image of the strong-willed animal on his campaign posters. Later, cartoonist Thomas Nast used the Democratic donkey in newspaper cartoons and made the symbol famous.

Democrats Considered liberal, or on the left. They are concerned with equality, cooperation and social progress. President Obama was the Democratic candidate for the 2012 election.

Famous Presidents who were Democrats Franklin D. Roosevelt

Democrats John F. Kennedy

Democrats Bill Clinton

Democrats Political Platforms Make health care more affordable Tax the wealthier More strict gun control Government more involved in citizens lives Regulations to help the government Decrease money on military spending Death penalty support is strong Government should help support schools and teachers to make public schools better.

Republicans Founded in 1854 Animal: Elephant Color: Red Nast invented another famous symbol—the Republican elephant. In a cartoon that appeared in Harper's Weekly in 1874, Nast drew a donkey clothed in lion's skin, scaring away all the animals at the zoo. One of those animals, the elephant, was labeled “The Republican Vote.” That's all it took for the elephant to become associated with the Republican Party.

Republicans Considered Conservative, on the right. They support and want the government to spend less money , have less say in business and society. Mitt Romney was the Republican candidate for the 2012 Presidential election.

Famous Presidents who were Republicans Teddy Roosevelt

Republicans Ronald Regan

Republicans George H. W. Bush

Republicans Political Platforms Increase spending on the military Most Republicans agree on the death penalty Government should play a small role is citizens lives Lower taxes on everyone Fewer social programs Oppose environmental regulation Private healthcare Less gun control By giving breaks to businesses, that will help them create jobs.

What is a third party? a political party formed as a dissenting or independent group from members of one or both of the two prevailing major parties.

third PARTIES The Socialist Party The Communist Party The Libertarian Party

The Socialist party Developed in reaction to the Industrial Revolution and the horrendous social conditions it produced, A social and economic order in which workers and consumers control production and, the production of society, is used for the benefit of all, not for the private profit of a few. Became active in Florida in 2011. Opposed American involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan Support same-sex marriage Support free speech rights of minors

The communist party A movement that started in Europe in the 1840’s by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. Believe in a system of social organization in which all economic and social activity is controlled by a totalitarian state dominated by a single political party. FL District of Communist Party USA Opposes cuts to social services and education Opposes tax breaks to corporations Supports the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid expansion, immigration rights and gay rights.

The libertarian party Believe all Americans should be free to live their lives and pursue their interests as they see fit, while maintaining personal responsibility and doing no harm to another. Support smaller government, states’ rights and lower taxes. Support personal privacy and the right to carry guns. Oppose government interfering in their personal, family and business decisions. Oppose “Common Core” education standards.

Assignment Democrat Republican Create a double bubble Map comparing and contrasting the two major political parties. Democrat Republican