Evolution of American Political Parties

Continuity AND Change

Factions Occur – Sides are Taken

DATE:

Sept. 28th 1787

Complaints are everywhere…

our governments are too unstable, that the public good is disregarded in the conflicts of rival parties

Men of factious tempers…

first obtain the suffrages, and then betray the interests, of the people

Originally, the Framers tried to avoid, or at least control, citizens forming and joining together for the sake of power.

Political Parties will not even be mentioned in the Constitution!

AMERICA WITH NO POLITICAL PARTIES???

To understand, let’s look to the

“Father of the Constitution”, James MadisonJames Madison

The Federalist Papers, No. 10

The Federalist Papers, No. 10

DATE:

Sept. 28th 1787

And so, the Constitution is Proposed…

To secure the public good and private rights against the danger of such a faction, and at the same time to preserve the spirit and the form of popular government, is then the great object to which our inquiries are directed.

And the CHANGE-After influential NEW YORK and VIRGINIA bring ratifying States total to 11, there is not much sense remaining as an Anti-Federalist, so………….

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Timeframe:

1787-1800

As Americans evaluated the proposal for government, two “factions” emerge…

First Era

Constitutional Debate

Federalists

Proponents of the Constitution

Supporters of a strong central government and ratification

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the Constitution

Feared increasing the powers of the central government and no formal

bill of rights

George Washington presides without holding to one specific party, and upon his decision to renounce serving a third term partially due to the emerging parties’ squabbles, he warns the fledgling nation;

Second EraTwo-Party System emerges…and the fights begin.

And the CHANGE-The Federalists implode opposing the War of 1812, changing America’s

political landscape and the nature of political parties.

Timeframe:

1790-1816

FederalistsFederalists (Business)

Advocated;

Strong, central government

“Loose” Interpretation

Inclined toward England

Supported by commercial Northeast

Democrat-RepublicansDemocrat-Republicans (Farming)

Advocated;

States’ rights

“Strict” Interpretation

Inclined toward France

Supported by agrarian West and South

Vicious rancor rears its ugly head as parties begin to vie for office and the support of the electorate.

“Leading” Federalists “Leading” Dem-Reps

However combinations or associations...may answer popular ends, they are likely...to become potent engines by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reigns of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust

dominion.” -Farewell Address Sept. 19, 1796

BUT DID WE LISTEN??? NOPE!

Third EraCan there be only ONE?

Timeframe:

1816-1824

Welcome to the “Era of Good Feelings”…

America during this time operates under a Mono-party Mono-party system, where only the Democratic-Republicans function as a party beginning with James Monroe, splintering under John Quincy Adams. Andrew Jackson forms the Democratic Party in anger over “corrupt bargain”.

Many other future leaders of mono-party government would appear throughout history…

And the CHANGE-

Jackson wins in 1828 and increases the power of the central government for the sake of the “common man”.

Soon the “National Republicans” or “Whig” party is formed to contest his policies.

Joseph Stalin- U.S.S.R.

Adolph Hitler- Nazi Germany

Essentially, the mono-party system exists in any dictatorship where the people are allowed marginal participation…

Hey! All I did was oppose the national bank and cause a recession…

Almost lose South Carolina

over nullification…

Sign the law that would

begin the Trail of Tears…Ok, Ok, Ok,

bring on the Whigs…

What so good about it?

Fourth EraWhigs come into fashion as Democratic Party suffers splits.

Timeframe:

1830’s-1850’s

And the CHANGE-

The unresolved issue of slavery would tear both parties and the nation asunder ending the second two-party

system

Democrats

Living on traditions but still hanging on…

-Opposed societal and economical change including; Corporations & Banks Governmental Reform

-Comprised of Jeffersonian and Jacksonian agrarians for rural independence and slavery

-Rapid expansion of borders through Mexican War or purchase

-States’ Rights

Whigs

Named to referring to the groups who organized to fight the Revolution and

opposed to monarchy

-Wanted federal & state governments to create economic growth through infrastructure (roads and rails) and banking

-Comprised of industrial and urban entrepreneurs who supported modernization and free labor.

-Gradual expansion of borders

-Federal Rights

Return of the

Two-Party System

PASTPAST FUTUREFUTURE

A far greater conflict than party politics had been brewing since the

nation’s inception…

Fifth Era

America- different flavors of parties now available!

Timeframe:

1850’s-1860

And the CHANGE-The smaller parties would fade, as our nation faced its darkest hour and the

election of 1860.

During this time period, America would most resemble During this time period, America would most resemble the the Multi-partyMulti-party system that is prevalent in most system that is prevalent in most

European Democracies. The citizenry would fracture European Democracies. The citizenry would fracture into smaller collations without dominant parties.into smaller collations without dominant parties.Liberty PartyLiberty Party

Formed to promote the abolition of slavery.

Free Soil PartyFree Soil Party

Opposed the expansion of slavery in the territories.

American Party American Party

““Know NothingsKnow Nothings””

Semi-secret party opposed temperance movement and

immigration as nativists.

Republican PartyRepublican Party

Opposed expansion of slavery and supported free labor.

Free Soil, Free Labor, Free Mennew kids on the block

past foundations begin to crumble

WhigsWhigsDivided over slavery into:

“Cotton” Whigs supporting slavery who would later join the Democratic Party

“Conscience” Whigs opposed to slavery who would join the Free Soil and Republican Party

DemocratsDemocratsExisted as the major party during the era, but was not unified in its stance on slavery outside of the South.

?Constitutional Union Party Constitutional Union Party

Wanted to put the Constitution at the forefront (to avoid the slavery

issue)

Sixth EraNot so Civil War divides the nation and its parties

Timeframe:

1860

And the CHANGE-

Republicans enjoy a short time of unopposed control of the government. However, once reconstruction ends and the Democrats

return to congress, we enter a familiar structure…

DemocratsDemocrats

Although entering into the election with numerical advantage, delegates splintered the party over the platform’s stance on slavery.

RepublicansRepublicans

Opposed the expansion of slavery, but defended a state’s right to determine their stance within their borders.

Northern DemocratsNorthern Democrats

Opposed any Congressional interference with slavery

Nominated Stephen Douglas

Southern DemocratsSouthern Democrats

Organized supporting a pro-slavery Platform

Nominated John Breckenridge

Nominated Abraham Lincoln weakly on the third ballot- who would capitalize on the divided Democrats…

The Outcome?The Outcome?Lincoln enters the White House as the nation fractures. With a mass defection of Congressional Democrats and the later period of punitive restriction on participation, the Civil War provides the nation with a short period of single party rule…

The Election of 1860

Similarities of Today ’s Parties

-Citizens can join either major party or register independent without party approval. This declaration of party is made without cost.

-Both are governed by national committees with loose control over state committees.

-Both parties hold a national convention every four years, during the Presidential election year, to create a party platform of views.

-Both parties are flexible in their ideology and will change views & policies to appeal to the moderate voters of the center.

-Both parties are comprised of citizens from all ends of the political spectrum and income levels.

Seventh EraThe parties we know arrive- and the parties just can’t stop.

Timeframe:

1880’s-?

And the CHANGE-Will “big tent” parties be able to hold together? Will the independent parties

unseat the major parties? What will be the next change?

The two-party system goes full into force after reconstruction, and remains to this day as the

organizing force in politics.

Minor parties have emerged throughout the time period, having some influence on the state level without a great deal of success on the national stage.

Bull Moose Party

Green Party

Reform Party

DemocratsDemocrats

Political Strongholds: Northeast Region & urban areas

RepublicansRepublicans

Political Strongholds: West, South Regions & rural areas

More likely to propose new social programs

Favors higher minimum wage, higher taxes on corporations, and greater business regulation

Emphasizes the power of the Federal Government

Prefers less governmental expenditures and fewer taxes.

Advocates free trade and minimal interference with the free market competition.

Emphasizes the need for States’ rights.

YOU YOU DECIDE!DECIDE!

Republicans

Democrats

History of Electoral College

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