1. Political Parties

2. Political Party- organization of individuals with broad, common interest who organize to win elections, operate in government, and influence government policy Political Party- organization of individuals with broad, common interest who organize to win elections, operate in government, and influence government policy Two-party system- US party system with 2 main parties: Democrats and Republicans Two-party system- US party system with 2 main parties: Democrats and Republicans

3. Political Parties First two political parties: Federalists and Democratic Republicans First two political parties: Federalists and Democratic Republicans Federalists- Alexander Hamilton and Federalists- Alexander Hamilton and John Adams, wanted a strong federal government, party eventually faded out DR’s- Thomas Jefferson and James DR’s- Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, thought the federal government was getting too much power, party split into Democrats and Whigs

4. Political Party Platform- series of statements expressing the parties principles, beliefs, and positions on issues Platform- series of statements expressing the parties principles, beliefs, and positions on issues Ex. Abortion, Death Penalty Ex. Abortion, Death Penalty Plank- declaration that speak to each specific issue Plank- declaration that speak to each specific issue Ex. Dem support Abortion, Rep support Death Penalty Ex. Dem support Abortion, Rep support Death Penalty This communicates to This communicates to voters what the party will do if elected

5. TAKE THE DEMOCRAT VS REPUBLICAN QUIZ

8. Democrat Vs. Political Political Party Rap Political Party Rap

9. EVOLUTION OF A POLITICAL PARTY

10. Democrats Stressed their ties to the Stressed their ties to the common people Whigs split to compete Whigs split to compete with Democrats Democrats and Whigs remained the two major political parties until the 1850s Democrats and Whigs remained the two major political parties until the 1850s

11. Republicans Formed in 1854 with Abraham Lincoln to oppose slavery Formed in 1854 with Abraham Lincoln to oppose slavery Also known as “Grand Ole Party” (GOP) Also known as “Grand Ole Party” (GOP)

12. Democrats and Republicans Around the turn of the 20 th century the ideals of both parties began to change Around the turn of the 20 th century the ideals of both parties began to change Presently Republicans and Democrats are opposite of how they started Presently Republicans and Democrats are opposite of how they started

13. Democrats and Republicans Basic difference between the Democrats and Republicans is their belief in how much the government should be involved in the lives of Americans Basic difference between the Democrats and Republicans is their belief in how much the government should be involved in the lives of Americans Democrats- federal government should be more directly involved in citizen’s lives Democrats- federal government should be more directly involved in citizen’s lives Republicans- federal government should be less directly involved in citizen’s lives Republicans- federal government should be less directly involved in citizen’s lives Both parties try to adopt moderate positions and avoid extreme radical positions in order to attract more voters Both parties try to adopt moderate positions and avoid extreme radical positions in order to attract more voters

14. What are the differences between Republicans and Democrats today?

15. The Economy and Taxes Democrats Are generally in favor of large government and a progressive tax system in which the wealthy pay a larger share than the poor Are generally in favor of large government and a progressive tax system in which the wealthy pay a larger share than the poor Tend to be against international free trade agreements because they claim that such trade agreements hurt American workers and in particular unions Tend to be against international free trade agreements because they claim that such trade agreements hurt American workers and in particular unions Tend to believe in a balanced budget and are willing to raise taxes if needed Tend to believe in a balanced budget and are willing to raise taxes if needed Tend to make laws to protect American businesses from international competition Tend to make laws to protect American businesses from international competition Republicans Are generally in favor of a smaller government Generally for free market agreements with other countries, like NAFTA- North American Free Trade Agreement. Vehemently against raising taxes even if it means a budget deficit Tend to believe in global trade and don’t tend to protect US businesses from international competition

16. National Defense and Security Democrats Tend to cut the military budget Tend to cut the military budget Generally want to avoid American military intervention unless supported by the United Nations Generally want to avoid American military intervention unless supported by the United Nations Tend to believe in diplomacy and are slow to go to war Tend to believe in diplomacy and are slow to go to war Republicans Believe in a strong military and are willing to pay for it with government money Believe in confronting American enemies with or without UN support Believe in using military intervention when American interests or security is threatened more quickly than Democrats

17. Entitlements- Welfare, Medicaid, Social Security, Health Care Democrats Generally think that the government should provide a broad safety net (health care, education, welfare, food stamps) for the poor and others. Generally think that the government should provide a broad safety net (health care, education, welfare, food stamps) for the poor and others. They generally think these policies help the common good and are compassionate They generally think these policies help the common good and are compassionate Republicans Generally think the government should limit or reduce the safety net for the poor. They believe that private businesses and non-profit charities can provide the same services

18. Crime and Punishment Democrats Tend to focus on rehabilitation programs over long prison sentences for convicted criminals Tend to focus on rehabilitation programs over long prison sentences for convicted criminals Usually against the death penalty Usually against the death penalty Focus on rights of the accused Focus on rights of the accused Republicans Tend to focus on prison sentences as a deterrent to crime Usually for the death penalty Usually for stiffer penalties for convicted criminals

19. Environmental Protection Democrats Favor stricter regulations on businesses to protect the environment Favor stricter regulations on businesses to protect the environment Believe global warming is a real threat Believe global warming is a real threat Republicans Favor fewer restrictions on businesses in the hopes that wealthier companies will be able to be more environmental Many do not believe global warming is a real threat

20. Abortion and Stem Cell Research Democrats Tend to be pro- choice- believe that a woman should always have the right to choose to have an abortion Tend to be pro- choice- believe that a woman should always have the right to choose to have an abortion Tend to favor stem- cell research Tend to favor stem- cell research Republicans Tend to be pro-life- do not believe that women have a right to have an abortion and instead call abortion a form of murder Tend to be against stem-cell research

21. Energy Policy Democrats Focus on researching alternative energy sources for the future Focus on researching alternative energy sources for the future Republicans Focus on securing existing energy sources for the present and future

22. Values- Same Sex Marriage and Civil Rights Laws Democrats Democrats Tend to support the right for same-sex couples to marry Tend to support the right for same-sex couples to marry Republicans Tend to oppose the right for same-sex couples to marry

23. Education Democrats Democrats Oppose using tax money for school choice (vouchers and charters) Oppose using tax money for school choice (vouchers and charters) Republicans Favor using tax money for school choice (vouchers and charters)

24. Immigration Democrats Favor looser immigration laws Favor looser immigration laws Some favor “Amnesty” for illegals already in the country Some favor “Amnesty” for illegals already in the country Republicans Favor stricter immigration laws Some favor punishment or deportation for illegals already in the country

25. How To Tell Em Apart Republicans usually wear hats. Ronald Reagan

26. How To Tell Em Apart Democrats usually don’t. Jimmy Carter

27. How To Tell Em Apart Democrats buy banned books. Bill Clinton

28. How To Tell Em Apart Republicans form censorship committees, and then read them. Barbara Bush

29. How To Tell Em Apart Democrats eat the fish they catch. FDR Fishing in Warms Springs, GA

30. How To Tell Em Apart Republicans hang them on their wall.

31. How To Tell Em Apart Republicans study the financial pages of the newspaper.

32. How To Tell Em Apart Democrats put them on the bottom of their bird cage.

33. How To Tell Em Apart On Saturday, Republicans head for the golf course, the yacht club, or the hunting lodge. President Dwight D. Eisenhower hunting President George W. Bush yachting and golfing.

34. How To Tell Em Apart Democrats get a haircut, wash the car, or go bowling. A younger Bill Clinton bowling

35. How To Tell Em Apart Republicans have guest rooms.

36. How To Tell Em Apart Democrats have spare rooms filled with old baby furniture.

37. How To Tell Em Apart Republicans hire exterminators Cost $

38. How To Tell Em Apart Democrats step on the bugs NO Cost

39. How To Tell Em Apart Republicans sleep in twin beds – some even in separate rooms.

40. How To Tell Em Apart That is why there are more Democrats. The Kennedy Family