Elections & Political Parties
Part 1 p. 453-457
What are Politics?
Politics: the practice and theory
of influencing other people on
a civic or individual level.
Ideologies are basic
beliefs about government.
Government based on Religion
A Theocracy is a
government dominated
by religion.
In America, there is no state religion.
But in some countries, especially in the
Middle East, religion determines government policy.
Politics in a Free Country
In America, we have freedom of speech and freedom of religion. People are free to believe whatever they want. Over time, people’s different beliefs and views began to form bonds and divisions between people. Politics and politicians have emerged from these differing views.
Who are Politicians?
Politicians are people who influence public policy and decision making. Politicians
run for office and some hold
distinguished positions
as government officials.
Development of Parties
In a nation as large and diverse as the United States, the voice and the will of the individual citizen can easily be lost.
In an effort to unite over a
common cause, political
parties began to develop over time.
What are Political Parties?
A Political Party is a group of
people with broad common
interests who organize to
win elections, control
government and
influence policies.
American Political Parties
The first 2 political parties in America were the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists as we learned in our previous studies. The Federalists favored a strong Federal government and the Anti-Federalists were against it. This was the beginning of American politics.
American Political Parties
In his farewell address of 1796 President George Washington warned against the “baneful effects of the spirit of party”
American Political Parties
George Washington was a Federalist and by the time he began president, the Anti-federalists had all but been wiped out. Leaving America with only one major party, but that quickly changed.
American Political Parties
By the end of George Washington’s second term, there were 2 political parties once again fighting for power: The Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans.
American Political Parties
After the Federalists elected John Adams, the second president of the United States in 1796, their power quickly declined and the Federalists began to disappear.
Thomas Jefferson, America’s third President was elected as a Democrat-Republican.
American Political Parties
The Democratic-Republicans dominated politics up until the 1820’s.
Then in the 1830’s The Democratic-Republicans split into 2 groups: The Democrats and the National Republicans (Whigs).
American Political Parties
In the 1850’s the debate over slavery created divisions within both parties.
American Political Parties
The Democrats split into Northern and Southern factions around 1850 over the issue of slavery, but reunited after the Civil War’s end when slavery was no longer an issue.
American Political Parties
Many members of the National Republicans (Whigs) broke off and started the Republican party, which opposed slavery. After the Civil Wars end, the Whigs ceased to exist and Abraham Lincoln’s Republican party dominated the political scene.
American Political Parties
By the Civil Wars end, there were again 2 major parties dominating the political scene. The Democrats and Republicans.
The Republicans, who had elected Abraham Lincoln, became the dominant party following the Civil War until the 1930’s.
American Political Parties
Democrats only held the Presidency for 4 terms between 1860 and 1932.
In 1932, amid the Great Depression, the Democratic Party assumed control of the White House and Congress.
American Political Parties
For the Next 50 years following the elections in 1932, the Democratic Party dominated the American political scene.
American Political Parties
Beginning in 1968, Republicans controlled the White House for 6 of the next 9 Presidential terms.
American Political Parties
After losing the White House to Bill Clinton in 1992, the Republicans won the 1994 mid-term elections, taking both houses of congress for the first time in 42 years.
American Political Parties
Beginning in 1995, for the first time since Truman, a Democratic President worked with a Republican Congress.
American Political Parties
4 of the last 5 Presidents have served 2 terms.
Ronald Reagan (R)
Bill Clinton (D)
George W. Bush (R)
Barack Obama (D) Who are the last 2 Presidents who only served 1 term?
Hint: One was a Republican, the other was a Democrat,
both are in this picture.
Political Parties in 2014
There are 2 major Political Parties today in America:
The Republicans The Democrats
The Republican Party
The Republican Party is one of the two major political parties in the United States today.
Republicans are
commonly
represented
by the color red.
The Democratic Party
The Democratic Party is one of the two major political parties in the United States today.
Democrats are
commonly
represented by
the color blue.
Americans Affiliated with a Party
According to a recent Gallup Poll:
60% Party Affiliation
40% Independent
The Third Party
Despite the dominance of the two major parties, third parties have been part of the American political scene since the early days of the Republic.
A Third Party is any party other than one of the two major parties in American Politics.
Obstacles of Third Parties
As a result of the two-party tradition, minor parties face difficulties in getting on the ballot in all 50 states.
Obstacles of Third Parties
The names of Republicans and Democrats are automatically on the ballot in many states, but third party candidates are required to obtain a large number of voter signatures in a small amount of time in order to be included on all ballots.
Impact of Third Parties
Minor parties have influenced the outcome of many national elections.
The 3rd party can take votes away from one of the two major parties and help decide an election. In 1912, 1968 and 1992 third parties had a major impact on the Presidential Election.
Types of Third Parties
Although there may be some exceptions and overlapping, minor parties generally fall into one of three categories.
Single Issue Party
Ideological Party
Splinter Party
Single Issue Party
Ideological Party
Splinter Party
The End.
Next: Political Parties Part 2