1. PowerPoint #1: Political Parties
Government
Unit 2
PowerPoint #1: Political Parties

2. Crash Course Video #40

3. Directions for this PPT:
This is a LONG PPT.
READ EVERYTHING and THINK ABOUT IT!
Do not write everything down
Write each slide’s heading on the left
Summarize each slide on the right side of your notes
Answer all questions

4. Essential Questions
What are the benefits of having political parties? What would be the alternative if we did not have political parties?
Why is having a two party system good for America?

5. Political Parties Definition:
a group of people, joined together on the basis of common principles, who seek to control government, through the winning of elections, in order to affect certain public polices and programs.
a group with common interests who organize to win elections, control government, and influence policy.

6. Party Systems One-Party System – (aka “no-party system”)
Usually found in dictatorships or countries that are dominated by one of the major parties with no real opposition.
Also exist in places where government is dominated by one religion (theocracy).
Online research – write down:
Name some countries that are currently under dictatorships
Name some countries whose government is dominated by one religion

7. Multi-Party Systems Definition:
a system in which several major and minor parties seriously compete for and win elections.
Usually found in Europe – many believe this system represents broader interests.
Difficulty is in building coalitions (temporary alliance of several groups who come together to form a working majority to control a government)
Tend to be politically unstable.

8. Two-Party Systems
Only the two major parties have a reasonable chance of winning an election in the United States.
We do have more than two parties but they are weak/minor parties.
The U.S. began as a two-party system with the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists and have changed parties over time but always stayed with a system of two strong political parties

9. Hamilton vs. Jefferson
Political parties first emerged when followers of Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson disagreed over major issues on the Constitution and government.
Jefferson’s group: Democratic-Republicans
Feared a powerful central government
Wanted states to hold more power
Hamilton’s group: Federalists
Championed a strong national government

10. The Two-Party System in American History
Federalists Anti-Federalists
Whigs Democratic–Republicans
current Republicans Democrats

11. Political Spectrum
Left
Right

12. Extreme Cases of the Political Spectrum
Left
Right
Radicals
Move forward quickly
Reactionaries
Go back to the old days

13. Democratic Party
In 1828, the Democratic Party formed under guidance of President Andrew Jackson
Stood for the common citizen
Looked out for southern and western interests
Supported slavery

14. Whigs
Those who did not support Jackson formed their own party called the Whigs
These two parties dominated American politics for 20 years
In the 1850’s the Whig party dissolved due to disputes over slavery

15. Republican Party In 1854, the Republican Party formed
Opposed slavery spreading in the U.S. territories
Became prominent with the election of republican Abraham Lincoln to the Presidency in 1860

16. Presidents and their Political Party
Washington
Adams Federalist
Jefferson Democratic-Republican
Madison Democratic-Republican
Monroe Democratic-Republican
Adams Democratic-Republican
Jackson Democratic
Van Buren Democratic
Harrison Whig
Tyler Whig
Polk Democratic
Taylor Whig
Fillmore Whig
Pierce Democratic
Buchanan Democratic
Lincoln Republican
Johnson Democratic
Grant Republican
Hayes Republican
Garfield Republican
Arthur Republican
Cleveland Democratic
Harrison Republican
Cleveland Democratic
McKinley Republican
Roosevelt Republican
Taft Republican
Wilson Democratic
Harding Republican
Coolidge Republican
Hoover Republican
Roosevelt Democratic
Truman Democratic
Eisenhower Republican
Kennedy Democratic
Johnson Democratic
Nixon Republican
Ford Republican
Carter Democratic
Reagan Republican
Bush Republican
Clinton Democratic
Obama Democratic
Trump Republican

17. Look at the last slide and answer these questions:
How many democrat presidents have we had?
How many republican presidents?
Who was the 1st democrat president?
Who was the 1st republican president?
What causes the American people to choose a president from a different political party so often?
Do you think it is generally for economic, social, environmental, or cultural issues that drive the change?

19. Terms that define our Political Parties
Democrats
Liberal – Left
Beliefs
Big government
Strict regulations
More social programs
Pro-Choice
Gun restrictions
Smaller military
Republicans
Conservative – Right
Beliefs:
Small government
Less regulations
Less taxes/spending
Pro-Life
2nd Amendment rights
Strong military

20. Party Platform Comparisons

21. What is the difference between a liberal and a conservative?
Equal rights of all individuals
Government protection and assistance
Gradual change
Issues
Equal rights for all
Social services
Government assistance
Conservative
Personal empowerment
Limited government
Personal liberty
Keep the status quo
Issues
Less taxation/assistance
More traditional values
More economic independence

22. Local/Area Party Organizations
Local Party Organization
Precinct – the basic (smallest) local unit or voting district.
When you vote, you vote at a local polling place within your precinct.
Precinct Captain – a volunteer worker who organizes party workers, distributes information about candidates and gets people out to vote.
Ward – a larger unit made up of several precincts. Each ward selects a representative to send to the county committee.
Each county sends representatives to the state level.

23. Analyze California's 2016 Democrat Primary Election

24. Party Organization at the National Level
National Party Organization
National Convention – nominates presidential candidates, adopts party platform
National Committee – controls platform and policies between conventions
National Chairperson – leader of the national committee, serves for 4 years, directs convention and campaign, raises money, recruits voters, etc.

25. Functions of Political Parties
Recruiting/Nominating Candidates – parties seek people who have the personal qualities, background, and ability to get elected.
Inform/Activate the Public – inform, inspire, and activate public interest and participation in public affairs. Bring important issues to the attention of the public.

26. Functions of Political Parties – cont.
Operate Government/Govern – congressional leadership is organized by party, party leaders try to gather member support for party sponsored legislation, the President works through party leaders to promote his programs.
“Watch Dog”- observes and criticizes the party in opposing party. Tries to offer other solutions, point out shortcoming/failures, wants to swing public opinion to their party’s favor.

27. Essential Questions
What are the benefits of having political parties? What would be the alternative if we did not have political parties?
Why is having a two party system good for America?