1. The party battle through history

2. 1788-1824

3. Party breakdown in the House

4. 1788-1824 Congress-centered, elite dominated party organizations Democratic Republican dominance Federalists –Issue: nationalization –Groups: elites Dem-Reps –Issue: state sovereignty –Groups: less elite

5. 1828-1854

6. Party breakdown in the House

7. 1828-1854 Creation of mass political parties, partisan press Close party competition/Democratic predominance No major divisive issues Dems: western farmers, Catholics, immigrants Whigs: manufacturers, traders, Protestants

8. 1856-1896

9. Party breakdown in the House

10. Presidential elections, popular vote

11. 1856-1896 High voter participation, partisan press Republican dominance/close party competition Democrats: –Southerners, northern urban machines Republicans: –Westerners, veterans, business, labor, farmers

12. 1896-1928

13. Party breakdown in the House

14. Presidential elections, popular vote

15. 1896-1928 Republican dominance Democrats incorporate Populists, Republicans absorb Progressives Republicans –Take over urban voters, midwest and northeast Democrats –Southerners, Catholics

16. 1932-1968

17. Party breakdown in the House

18. Presidential elections, popular vote

19. 1932-1968 Democratic dominance Democrats: social safety net, Republicans: smaller government Democrats: –Urban voters, labor, southerners, northern African Americans, Catholics, immigrants, Jews Republicans: –White Protestants, small town residents, farmers

20. 1972-2008?

21. Presidential elections, popular vote

22. Party Breakdown in the House

23. 1972-2008 Republican dominance/two party competition Republicans: small government, social conservatism; Democrats: social safety net, social liberalism Republicans: southerners, westerners, rural voters, whites, men Democrats: urban voters, women, minorities

24. Prospects? Do the issue cleavages in American society favor one party or the other? Do demographic trends favor one party or the other? Are there any prospects for an issue or event to cause a third party to seriously contest or even replace one of the current parties?