Our Two-Party Our Two-Party SystemSystemCh. 22, Sec. 2Ch. 22, Sec. 2

Pp. 595-603Pp. 595-603

A Brief HistoryA Brief History

First two: Federalists First two: Federalists (strong national (strong national government) and government) and Democratic-Democratic-Republicans Republicans (powerful states)(powerful states)

1854 – Democrats 1854 – Democrats and Republicansand Republicans

Role of Third PartiesRole of Third Parties

Sometimes forms to support cause or ideaSometimes forms to support cause or idea Sometimes forms to back a candidateSometimes forms to back a candidate Can take votes from one of the major partiesCan take votes from one of the major parties

Characteristics of Characteristics of Today’s PartiesToday’s Parties

Democrats favor social programs, e.g., Democrats favor social programs, e.g., aid to the pooraid to the poor

Republicans want to reduce power of Republicans want to reduce power of federal governmentfederal government

Not very different, because they need Not very different, because they need broad support to be electedbroad support to be elected

Local level most importantLocal level most important Conventions every four yearsConventions every four years

Changes in Party Changes in Party StrengthStrength

Maintain strength Maintain strength through:through: System of patronageSystem of patronage Central role in Central role in

election campaignselection campaigns Voter loyaltyVoter loyalty

Many voters Many voters independent todayindependent today

QuestionsQuestions

What was the first political party What was the first political party established in the United States?established in the United States?

a.a. The DemocratsThe Democrats

b.b. The FederalistsThe Federalists

c.c. The RepublicansThe Republicans

d.d. The WhigsThe Whigs

QuestionsQuestions

Voting precincts are generally made up Voting precincts are generally made up of which of the following?of which of the following?

a.a. Fewer than 1,000 votersFewer than 1,000 voters

b.b. More than 1,000 votersMore than 1,000 voters

c.c. Fewer than 100 votersFewer than 100 voters

d.d. More than 10,000 votersMore than 10,000 voters

QuestionsQuestions

How do you become a member of a How do you become a member of a political party?political party?

a.a. Attend regular meetingsAttend regular meetings

b.b. Pay yearly duesPay yearly dues

c.c. Think of yourself as a memberThink of yourself as a member

d.d. Vote in a general electionVote in a general election

QuestionsQuestions

Why do fewer people today vote a Why do fewer people today vote a straight ticket?straight ticket?

a.a. Voters base their decisions on particular Voters base their decisions on particular candidates or issuescandidates or issues

b.b. Voters tend to vote for candidates of one Voters tend to vote for candidates of one partyparty

c.c. Voters vote for independent candidates Voters vote for independent candidates onlyonly

d.d. Voters raise campaign funds for Voters raise campaign funds for candidatescandidates