1. Unit 3 Chapter 5: The American Political System
Would the American political system benefit from a stronger third party?

2. Requirements for a political party
Shared beliefs
Program
Chance of success
Same political philosophy
Turn ideas into reality after elected
Realistic chance of winning

3. Political Party Goals Organize a political majority
Provide electable candidates
Educate voters
Finance election campaigns
Winners to run the government
People join parties based on economic, foreign policy, social ideas, freedom…
Want candidates to be popular with voters.. Experience….
Have a platform – position on priorities
Winners fill positions with supporters…. Cabinet, judges….

4. Origins of Two-Party System
Federalist and Anti-Federalists
Washington warned against having parties.
Jefferson formed the Democratic-Republican Party
Republican party forms in 1854
Hamilton and Jefferson
Farwell speech
1792
Republican dropped from name in 1825
Group get together to oppose expansion of slavery

5. The Era of the Democrats (1800—1860)
Democrats dominate all but two presidential elections.
Mostly by giving political favors to supporters
The Whig Party emerges in to fight this form of democracy
but declines by the 1850s after two of its major leader died
electing only two Presidents.
The Republican Party is founded in 1854 in response to the problem of slavery

6. The Era of the Republicans (1860—1932)
Republicans dominate all but four presidential elections.
They supported:
Businesses
Laborers
African Americans
Farmers
The Civil War disables the Democratic Party for the remainder of the 1800s.

7. The Return of the Democrats (1932—1968)
Democrats dominate all but two presidential elections.
Mostly due to Herbert Hoover’s ineffectiveness during the Great Depression
Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt is elected President four times.

8. The Start of a New Era: The Era of Divided Government
Since 1968, neither Republicans nor Democrats have dominated the presidency
Vietnam War
Civil Right Movement
Women’s Movement
Scandals
Horrible Presidents
Congress has often been controlled by the opposing party.

9. What do you think the cartoonist feels about the differences between the parties today?

10. Why Minor Parties are Important?
Minor Parties have several important roles in politics
The 3 most important are:
Spoiler
Critic
Innovator
Spoiler – take votes away from others
Critic – often single issue
Innovator – new approach to solving problem – ideas absorbed by major party

11. Minor Parties In The United States

12. Keeping the Two-Party System
Stability
National election laws
Size of the federal system
Tradition of alternation in office

13. Political labels Left wing – liberal who want more government action.
Right wing – conservatives who want less government control.
Liberals – want the government to protect individual rights and the common good.
Moderate – “middle of the road”.
Conservative – “government governs best which governs least”.
Radicals – want immediate change, extreme measures.
30% Democrats, 30% Republican, independents

15. Structure of political parties

16. Presidential Election Cycle
1. The announcement 2. Primary elections – open, closed, caucus 3. National convention 4. The campaign 5. Election day 6. Inauguration
Open – voters do not declare party
Closed – only open to members of party
Caucus – public party meeting