The History of American Political

Parties

First Two-Party SystemFederalists v. Republicans, 1780s - 1801

Federalists – Believed in a strong federal government- Loose interpretation of The Constitution- Encouraged commerce and manufacturing- Emphasized order and stability

Republicans – Believed in state’s rights- Strict Interpretation of the Constitution- Encouraged agriculture- Stressed individual liberties and believed humans could govern themselves

Second Two-Party SystemDemocrats v. Whigs, 1836 - 1850

Democrats – Party of tradition- Opposed banks and corporations as state-legislated

economic privilege- Favored rapid territorial expansion through purchase or war- Ideology - agrarianism, slavery, and states rights

Whigs – The party of modernization- Believed Government should promote economic growth through corporations and banks- Slow territorial expansion (opposed war)- Ideology - urbanization, industrialization, and federal rights

Mid-19th Century Political Crisis (1850-1860)

- Disputes over slavery and expansion westward destroyed America’s 2 party system

- 4 different political parties- Liberty Party- Free Soil Party- American Party- Whigs

Modern-day Republican Party formed in1854

Modern Day Republican and Democratic Parties from (1860-1900)

Republicans – Opposed slavery- First major figure is Abraham Lincoln- Ideology – Transportation improvements and protective tariffs

Democrats – Split between Northern and Southern Democrats- Both believed in a limited federal government and states

rights- Northerners opposed the expansion of slavery westward-Southerners supported the expansion of slavery

Progressive Era Politics (1900-1945)

-Democrat and Republic Presidents support the same ideals- Hands on capitalist society- Federal government should provide order and stability- Pro business, but expanded freedoms for all people (women get the right to vote, direct election of Senators- Prohibition

-Roosevelt’s New Deal- New Democrat Coalition- Acceptance of more government involvement in the lives of Americans- Social Security, public housing, government sponsorship of research

Post World War II Politics (1945-1970)

Democrats – appealed to laborers, immigrants, urban voters, and intellectuals

- Believed in a larger, more involved federal government- Supported the Civil Rights Movement

Republicans – Appealed to large and small business owners- Vowed to be tough on Communism- Appealed to southerners by opposing Civil Rights legislation

Nixon’s New Federalism

Republicans – Continue to appeal to Southerners - Limited Government and anti-Vietnam War- Restore state’s rights (New Federalism)

Democrats – Continue to support Civil Rights- Appeal to women by supporting reproductive rights- Believed government played a role in fixing a variety of

social issues (poverty, hunger, racism etc…)

Reagan and the New Right (1980-Present)

Republicans – Appealed to Evangelical Christians, affluent suburbanites, and young conservatives.

- Cut taxes, but increase defense spending- Stricter laws in regards to drugs and violence- Free market capitalism

Democrats – Appeal to women, minorities, and intellectuals- Support environmental legislation- Pro choice, Pro marriage equality- Believe in government regulated capitalism- Believe in social programs (welfare, medicare, etc…