1. The Development of Political Parties in the U.S.
Definition: A group of persons who seek to control government through the winning of elections and holding of public office.

2. Functions of Political Parties:
Modify and encourage compromise unity.
Nominate candidates for public office.
Inform & activate voters (campaigns, rallies, conventions, etc.)
Act as bonding agents (selecting good candidates who will perform well in office).
Govern when in office.
Act as watch dogs (party out of power).

3. History of U.S. Two-Party System
Two-party system dominant throughout U.S. History.
Framers of Constitution against two-party system.
Saw parties as factions that would divide the nation.
BUT ratification of Constitution led to the development of two political parties…

4. The Beginning:
Federalists—led by Alexander Hamilton (Sec. of Treasury).
Party of “rich and well-born”
Most had supported Constitution and strong central gov’t.
Liberal interp. of Constitution
Strong executive leadership & policies designed to correct economic problems.
Appealed to financial, manufacturing & commercial interests.

5. Anti-Federalists—led by Thomas Jefferson (Sec. of State).
More sympathetic to the “common man”
Supported limited central gov’t
Congress should dominate gov’t
Policies should help farmers, shopkeepers, laborers, & planters
Strict construction of provisions in Const.

6. Anti-Federalists Jeffersonian Republicans Democratic Republicans  Democrats (1828)
1800-T.J. wins election. Federalists never regain power after loss.

7. Four major periods of govt since 1800:
1st era:  Democrats won 13 of 15 presidential elections.
2nd era:  Republicans won 14 of 18 presidential elections
3rd era:  Democrats won 7 of 9 presidential elections
4th era: 1968-present Republicans won 7 of 11 presidential elections but Dems. have controlled Congress for much of this period.

8. 1800-1860: Dems. unopposed through “era of good feelings”
Split into factions by mid-1820s
By Jackson’s admin ( ), National Republican (Whig) Party had emerged
Major issues: conflicts over public lands, Second Bank of U.S., high tariffs & slavery

9. Democrats (led by Jackson):
Coalition of small farmers, debtors, pioneers & slave holders.
Mostly made up of South and West regions
Voting rights for all white males
# of elected offices increased
Gov’t jobs & favors awarded to supporters of party in power (spoils system)

10. Whig Party (led by Henry Clay & Daniel Webster):
Coalition of eastern bankers, merchants & industrialists, owners of large southern plantations
Supported high tariff
Relatively unsuccessful (only elected 2 presidents btw 1830s-1850s)
Both parties split by slavery issue

11. And then came the Republicans…
Whigs Republicans
Only party in history to jump from 3rd party to major party status.
Elected Abe Lincoln president in 1860 election! =)
Were able to draw many Whigs and anti-slavery Dems. into their party

12. Era of Republicans
Supported by business & financial interests, laborers, farmers & newly freed African Americans.
Dems survived due to hold on “Solid South” after reconstruction era

13. Election of 1896=critical to development of two-party system
Sm. business owners, farmers & labor unions v. big business, railroads & financial monopolies
Repubs. nominate McKinley & support gold standard
Dems. support William Jennings Bryan & free silver
Dems. absorb Populist Party
Response from broader range of electorate= new strength to Repubs. Dominant for next 3 decades
Sectionalism economic arena

14. 1932-1968: Return of the Democrats
Great Depression 1932 election of F.D.R.
Marks shift in public attitude toward gov’t involvement in social & economic life
New electoral base mostly southerners, organized labor, small farmers & big-city political orgs.
New Deal increased support of minorities
F.D.R won ‘32, ‘36, ‘40, ‘44 elections by large majority

15. 1968-Present Back & forth btw Repubs. & Dems. 1968-Nixon (R)
Factors include: Vietnam War, civil rights movement, social welfare issues & emergence of American Independent Party
1976-Carter (D)

16. 1980- Carter loses to Reagan:
Terrible economy
Political fallout due to Iranian Hostage Crisis
Unable to establish himself as efficient leader
Reagan years:
Shift to more conservative policies

17. Clinton in ‘92 & ‘96
GOP regain W.H. in 2000 (controversial election)
Most of this period Repubs. have controlled W.H. & Dems. have controlled Congress
Switched in ‘94
Now: Dems control W.H. & Republicans control Congress (House and filiabuster)