1. Bellwork: Write down the first three words you think of when you hear the word: DEMOCRAT Write down the first three words you think of when you hear the word: REPUBLICAN

2. Political Parties Mr. Hall’s Civics Class

3. Essential Question: In the modern political system, what represents the basic and fundamental difference between political parties?

4. How Many Parties are in the U.S.? Two Major Parties: Democrats Republicans There are more than these two. Smaller Parties are called “Third Parties”: – Green party – Libertarian Party – Socialist Party Are there More??? Oh yes. Political PartiesPolitical Parties

5. What is a Political Party Definition: A group of citizens with similar views on some political issues who work together to put their ideas into effective government action. -What does that mean? -Political parties are groups of people who pool their resources and time to try and have the government do things they want them to do.

6. What are the differences between the Parties? There are many differences, some small and some pretty big, and specific differences changes depending on what parties you are comparing. Easiest Answer: Parties differ on the role the government should play in the day to day lives of the citizens, and which level of government should have the most power on a daily basis.

7. Political Spectrum The political Spectrum is split in half; with one side being referred to as the “Left” and the other “Right” Democrats? Republicans? Libertarians? Anarchists? Socialists? Marxists?

8. The Simple Spectrum

9. Platforms and Planks Each Party has a “Platform”. – Platform: Statement of the party’s views and policies on important issues. A platform is a broad statement, such as : “We want to downsize the military.” Most large parties have platforms on issues that most Americans have opinions on: Education, healthcare, taxes, defense, environment, social issues Smaller parties are “single platform” or “single issue”; such as U.S. Pacifist Party.

10. Platforms and Planks (Con’t) “Planks” are the individual ideas that are going to be carried out to reach the goal in the platform. For Example: Platform: “we want to downsize the military.” Possible Planks might be: – Close all Military Bases outside of the United States – Reduce the number of Nuclear Missiles – Reduce the number of Aircraft Carriers from 10 to 6 – Decrease the Army from 48 Brigades to 36 Think of all the “planks” fitting together to make the “platform”

11. Group Time -Break off into your groups. -Complete the handout; duplicate your group’s work so that each of you has a copy. -Verbal Directions. -5 minutes.

12. Campaign Project Chicago