1. 9.1 Development of Political Parties
Civics and Economics

2. Political Party
Individuals with common interests who organize to win elections, operate gov’t., and influence gov’t. policy

3. Political Party
During most of American history there have been two major political parties; the US is a two-party system

4. Growth of American Parties
The US Constitution says nothing about political parties; in his 1796 Farewell Address, President Washington warned against them

5. Growth of American Parties
By the late 1790s, two rival political groups emerged, Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson led one, Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton led the other
Thomas Jefferson- Democratic Republicans Alexander Hamilton-Federalists

6. Growth of American Parties
Hamilton favored a strong national government (FEDERALISTS)
Jefferson wanted more power for state governments (DEM.-REPUBLICANS)

7. Comparison of the Two Parties
Federalists
Founded-1794
Dissolved-1820
Leaders included Alexander Hamilton and John Adams
Beliefs: Strong national government, Industrial, Pro-British, Loose interpretation of the Constitution, Strong in New England and cities
Democratic-Reps.
Founded-1792 Dissolved-1824
Leaders included Thomas Jefferson and James Madison
Beliefs: States’ rights, Agricultural, Pro-French, Strict interpretation of the Constitution, Strong in the South

9. The Democratic Party (1828)
In 1828 the Democratic-Republicans split
Those who supported candidate Andrew Jackson took the name Democratic Party; in 1830 a new party, the Whigs rose to compete
Jackson founded the modern Democratic Party

10. The Republican Party (1854)
Founded by a group of Democrats and Whigs who opposed slavery
In 1860, Abraham Lincoln won election as the first Republican president
Since then Republicans and Democrats have been our two major parties

11. Third Parties
Smaller minor parties that have competed for power in the nation’s two-party system
They have never won the presidency but major parties sometimes adopt their ideas

12. Third Parties
Single-Issue Parties= promote a social, economic, or moral issue
Ex. The Prohibition Party which wanted to ban the sale of alcohol

13. Third Parties
Ideological Parties= support a particular philosophy or political doctrine
Ex. The Socialist Labor Party and Communist Party USA

14. Third Parties
Independent Candidates= leaders who can’t get support from a major party
Ex. H. Ross Perot and the Reform Party in 1992, Teddy Roosevelt and the Bull Moose Party in 1912
Ross Perot-Reform Party and 1996
Theodore Roosevelt-Bull Moose Party- 1912

15. Election of 1912

16. 1912 Election Political Cartoon
By Louis M. Glacken Puck Magazine, 1912
What does this political cartoon say about the effect of the third party (Progressive Party) in the presidential election?

17. Election of 1992

18. Third Parties Obstacles to winning major elections:
They must obtain a large number of voter signatures to get on the ballot in many states
They have trouble raising money to compete against major party candidates

19. Other Party Systems
Many democracies have multiparty systems; three or more parties compete for control of the government; several parties must work together
They form coalitions to have a majority

20. Mao Zedong- Founded the People’s Republic of China in 1949
Other Party Systems
Another type of system is the one-party system; where the party and government are nearly the same thing (Ex. China and the Communist Party)
Elections are an empty exercise because there are no rival candidates; one-party systems are not democratic systems
Mao Zedong- Founded the People’s Republic of China in 1949

21. How the Parties Differ
Democrats believe the federal government should be more involved in regulating the economy and in providing housing, income, education, and jobs for the poor

22. How the Parties Differ
Republicans believe if they help the nation’s economy grow, poor people will have a better chance of finding jobs; they favor less government regulation of the economy as the best way to promote the growth of production

23. How the Parties Differ
One way to identify differences between the two parties is to read the platform each party writes at its presidential nominating convention, held every four years
The platform is a series of statements expressing the party’s principles, beliefs, and positions on election issues

24. How the Parties Differ Each part of the platform is called a plank
The platform communicates to voters what the party claims it will do if it wins election