The Two Party System in AmericaSection 3-pgs. 126- 131

Minor PartiesSection 4- pgs.132-135

Nations’ First Parties

Federalists- Alexander Hamilton; “the rich & well-born”; strong national govt.

Democratic Republicans- Thomas Jefferson; “common man”; limited govt.

Era of Democrats 1800-1860

By 1816 Federalists gone.Era of Good Feelings- Dem-

Repubs were unopposed.1820’s split. Whigs/Democrats.

Whigs- bankers & merchants – tariffs

Democrats- farmers, pioneers- public lands

Era of Republicans 1860-1932

Whigs fall apart.Democrats split over issue of

slavery.Republicans- supported free

African Americans

Abraham Lincoln 1st Republican president.

Republicans would run unopposed for 75 years.

Minor Parties

Libertarian- 1971 stresses individual liberties, opposes taxes and foreign involvement.

Socialist Labor Party- 1891-abolish capitalism, backed by an industrial org.

Communist Party USA- “the Party for the Am. Working Class” wants to restructure Am. Political & economic systems.

Green Party- opposes nuclear weapons & promotes environmental concerns.

4 types of minor parties

Ideological partySingle-issue partyEconomic protest partySplinter party

Role of Minor Parties

Spoiler role- deny one of the major parties a majority- and an election.

Critic & innovator- most will take a clear cut stand on an issue.