1. Magruder’s American Government
C H A P T E R 5 Political Parties
© 2001 by Prentice Hall, Inc.

2. S E C T I O N 2 The Two-Party System in American History
How did the United States’ political parties originate?
What are the three major periods of single- party domination?
What characterizes the current era of government? 1 2 4 5
Chapter 5, Section 3

3. The Nation’s First Parties
Federalists
Led by Alexander Hamilton
Represented wealthy and upper-class interests
Favored strong executive leadership and liberal interpretation of the Constitution
Anti-Federalists
Led by Thomas Jefferson
Represented the “common man”
Favored Congress as the strongest arm of government and a strict interpretation of the Constitution 1 2 4 5
Chapter 5, Section 3

4. American Parties: Four Major Eras
The Three Historical Eras
1. The Era of the Democrats, 1800—1860: Started w/ Thomas Jefferson
‘Era of Good Feelings”
Mid-1820s: split into factions or competing groups
Democrats dominate all but two presidential elections.
Andrew Jackson’s Administration:
Changes: Voting rights for all white males…increase in number of elected offices… and spread of spoils system which is practice of awarding public offices and contracts to those who support party in power
The Whig Party emerges in 1834, but declines by the 1850s, electing only two Presidents.
Democrats split into North and South because of slavery which barely let them survive
The Republican Party is founded in 1854. 1 2 4 5
Chapter 5, Section 3

5. 2. The Era of the Republicans, 1860—1932
Civil War allowed Republicans to hold office for next 75 years
Republicans dominate all but four presidential elections.
The Civil War disables the Democratic Party for the remainder of the 1800s: they remained only because they held the “Solid South”
Able to win presidency in 1884 and 1892 with Grover Cleveland
Republicans regained presidency with William McKinley

6. 3. The Return of the Democrats, 1932—1968
Great Depression 1929
Democrats dominate all but two presidential elections.
Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt is elected President four times because of his revolutionary economic and social welfare… helped win support of southerners, small farmers, organized labor, big-city political organizations, African Americans and minorities
After his death during his 4th term, Harry S. Truman stepped in and he was elected in 1948
1952/1956: Dwight Eisenhower [Republican] won
Democrats came back with John F. Kennedy until he was killed and Lyndon B. Johnson stepped in

7. American Parties: Parties Today
4. The Start of a New Era: The Era of Divided Government
Since 1968, neither Republicans nor Democrats have dominated the presidency and Congress has often been controlled by the opposing party.
1968–1976
Republicans hold the presidency -Nixon/Ford
Congress is controlled by Democrats
1976–1980
Democrats hold the presidency -Carter
Congress is controlled by Democrats
1980–1992
Republicans hold the presidency-Reagan/Bush
Senate controlled by Republicans , controlled by Democrats from 1986 to 1994
1992 – 2000
Democrats hold the presidency-Clinton
Congress controlled by Republicans, 1994 to present
2000
Republicans hold the presidency-Bush
Congress is controlled by Republicans 1 2 4 5
Chapter 5, Section 3

8. Section 2 Review 1 2 4 5 1. The nation’s first two parties were
(a) the Democrats and the Republicans.
(b) the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists.
(c) the Democratic-Republicans and the Republican-Democrats.
(d) the Federalists and the Republicans.
2. The Republican Party dominated the presidency from
(a) 1932–1968.
(b) 1860–1932.
(c) 1800–1860.
(d) 1783–1800.
Want to connect to the Magruder’s link for this section? Click Here! 1 2 4 5
Chapter 5, Section 3

9. HLQ REVIEW
Briefly describe the overall pattern in the way the two major parties have competed for and held power in American History.
What is Sectionalism?
What characterizes the present political era that began in 1968?
Do you think one-party rule or divided government comes closer to the ideal the original Framers had when they envisioned a government without political parties?
How do political and economic crises hinder or help candidates get elected? Use specific examples from the section to support your answer.