1. The Two Party System
An American Tradition

2. Note Taking
Students will write notes on the following presentation. You should have learned how to take Cornell Notes and I feel this is the best way for you. However, if you have a system that works for you then use it.
I will not go so slow that you will be able to write all words. The notes will be on the class website, (not shared with you) you should always look over your notes the evening of the day you wrote the notes. If you miss something you can get it there or from a peer.
HERE WE GO!

3. Why two parties?
Other countries have multiple parties, why not the US?
Thoughts?
Answer is complicated. There are two ways to look at the issue:
A simple answer (is this possible?)
Abstract reason

4. The (relatively) Simple Answer
Structural Barriers
USA is a democratic republic
Based on majorities
Voting majorities
Why can’t a third party win?
Money and Visibility
Electoral College
Requires majority of votes (in most states)

5. History of Parties
Begins w/ Hamilton (Federalists) & Jefferson (Anti-Federalists)
Beginnings of Democrats & Republicans
Top-down in structure

6. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

7. Abstract Reason Tradition
Basically two parties up to and since the Civil War
(although the Parties are a bit different)
Most Americans grow up in a home where they identify as a Republican or a Democrat
Therefore, the two parties, by default, control the voting of most people

8. Pre Civil War Parties Republicans
Had support in Northeast and Central Northwest
Democrats
Had some support in North, but mostly the South and Southwest
Is this different from today?

11. Impact on Parties During Civil War
Democrats
Split due to where constituents lived
Between Northern Dems and Southern Dems
Northern Dems fail in 1864 presidential election and only won a few seats in Congress
Big issue for Democrats is how they will come back together after the war.

13. Reconstructions Impact on Unification of Party
Focus for each party
Democrats - states rights
Southern Dems enact Jim Crow laws (who can explain these laws?)
Republican - Northern industry and banking
Due to stability in Republican party after the Civil War, there is a run of Republican presidents from the 1860s through the 1920s. (few exceptions - Johnson, Cleveland, & Wilson)

14. History Republican Party Dominance From 1860 through 1932
Republicans control White House
every presidential election cycle with the exception of
Grover Cleveland ( ; )
Woodrow Wilson ( )
Grant, Hayes, Garfield, Arthur, Cleveland, Harrison, Cleveland, McKinley, Roosevelt, Taft, Wilson, Harding, Coolidge, Hoover

15. Focus for each party continued...
Republicans
Focus on northern industry
Party is run mainly by party elites
Democrats
Focus on states rights and Jim Crow laws
A movement that will impact both parties - the Progressive Era.

16. Progressivism (1880s through 1920s)
Very powerful in both parties by 1910s.
The Progressive Era is the beginning of a major shift in party identification.
What is Progressivism (Google it)?
Why is this taking place?

18. Impact of the Great Depression
Republican Herbert Hoover is president when the Depression hits.
His party's approach to the Depression -
Hands off
The market will recover with limited government intervention
This approach will be used against Hoover in the 1932 election
FDR will win the presidency after his new approach wins the election
New approach for Democrats - government will be heavily involved in the recovery
How is this different from Dems in the past?
FDRs win will change the power of the presidency and increase the national government’s power.

20. History Democratic Party Dominance Congress from 1932 to 1952
From 1932 to 1968 Democrats control White House (with the exception of
Dwight Eisenhower ( )
and they control
Congress from 1932 to 1952

21. Election of 1932 - Impact on the Parties
There is a big ideological flip of the Republicans and Democrats.
Dems - party of big, national gov’t; aligned with Progressivism
Republicans - smaller, less vigorous national gov’t; move away from Progressivism
Example - LBJ in the 1960s
National gov’t programs: Great Society, war on poverty, Medicare
All programs meant to make the country a better place - Progressivism defined

22. Post WWII
Dems - continue to refine and connect with Progressivism and liberalism
Republicans - embrace 10th Amendment (reserves power for the states), small national government
The two parties are vastly different than 100 years prior. The trend began in the 1930s of big government democrats and continued in the 1960s. Democrats were active with social change and the Republicans tried to undo some of that big government with the election of Ronald Reagan in the 1980s.

23. History Contemporary Party Republican Ascendance?
1968 to 2008 Republicans control White House for all except:
Carter ( )
Clinton ( )
Obama ( )

24. Early 21st Century
Modern description (big generalizations) of the two major parties:
Republicans - conservative; promoting individual decisions & liberty
Favors smaller, less active national government (except in Defense)
Less regulation, lower taxes
Favor power at state, local, & individual level
Democrats - liberal; trying to make things as equitable as possible
favors active, powerful national government - regulate economy, provide services
More secular

25. Examples to help understanding...
Healthcare: How would Dems & Republicans see this issue?

26. Examples to help understanding...
2. Gun Control: How would Dems & Republicans see this issue?

27. Examples to help understanding...
3. Taxes: How would Dems & Republicans see this issue?