ch. 9.1: development of american political parties

Ch. 9.1:Ch. 9.1:

Development of American Development of American Political PartiesPolitical Parties

The Two-Party SystemThe Two-Party System

A A political party political party is an association of is an association of voters with broad common interests voters with broad common interests who want to influence or control who want to influence or control decision making in government by decision making in government by electing the party’s candidates to electing the party’s candidates to public office.public office.

Parties pick candidates who agree Parties pick candidates who agree with their beliefs and try to persuade with their beliefs and try to persuade voters to support those candidates.voters to support those candidates.


Anyone may join a political party; you Anyone may join a political party; you simply declare yourself a membersimply declare yourself a member

The U.S. has had two major parties, or a The U.S. has had two major parties, or a two-party system two-party system since 1860.since 1860.

George Washington hoped that parties George Washington hoped that parties would not develop. He saw them as would not develop. He saw them as factions that would eventually tear the factions that would eventually tear the country apart.country apart.

The Two-Party SystemThe Two-Party System Two of Washington’s cabinet members lead the Two of Washington’s cabinet members lead the

way for the party movement.way for the party movement.

Secretary of Treasury, Alexander Hamilton and Secretary of Treasury, Alexander Hamilton and Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson disagreed Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson disagreed strongly about how the government should operate.strongly about how the government should operate.

Hamilton wanted a strong national government and Hamilton wanted a strong national government and strong president; Jefferson wanted less power for strong president; Jefferson wanted less power for the national government and more power to the the national government and more power to the states.states.

Two rival political groups would be createdTwo rival political groups would be created


Jefferson’s group was called the Jefferson’s group was called the Democratic-Republican PartyDemocratic-Republican Party

In 1828, the party split, and the new In 1828, the party split, and the new leader Andrew Jackson aligned with leader Andrew Jackson aligned with the Democratic Party.the Democratic Party.

Hamilton’s group, the Federalist Party, Hamilton’s group, the Federalist Party, eventually faded away into obscurity.eventually faded away into obscurity.

The Two-Party SystemThe Two-Party System The Whigs would eventually rise in 1830, to fill the void left The Whigs would eventually rise in 1830, to fill the void left

by the Federalist Party.by the Federalist Party.

Until the middle of the 1850’s, these would be the two Until the middle of the 1850’s, these would be the two major parties in the U.S.major parties in the U.S.

In 1854, breakaway Democrats and Whigs who opposed In 1854, breakaway Democrats and Whigs who opposed slavery formed the slavery formed the Republican Party.Republican Party.

The Whigs lost too much support and faded away; The Whigs lost too much support and faded away; Democrats were still strong enough to surviveDemocrats were still strong enough to survive

1860 Abraham Lincoln became the first Republican 1860 Abraham Lincoln became the first Republican president; two parties have existed ever since.president; two parties have existed ever since.

Third PartiesThird Parties

Third parties Third parties sometimes challenge sometimes challenge the two major parties. the two major parties.

A third party has never won a A third party has never won a presidential election and rarely wins presidential election and rarely wins other major elections.other major elections.

Can however influence the outcome Can however influence the outcome of elections and may influence policyof elections and may influence policy

Third PartiesThird Parties Farmers and laborers formed the Farmers and laborers formed the Populists Populists in in

the 1890s. the 1890s.

They called for the direct election of senators and They called for the direct election of senators and an 8 hour work day; eventually led to the 17an 8 hour work day; eventually led to the 17thth Amendment (1913)Amendment (1913)

Wanted reform in national politics; economic Wanted reform in national politics; economic reform to combat deflation in agricultural prices; reform to combat deflation in agricultural prices; opposed the gold standardopposed the gold standard

Did not win, but the 2 major parties adopted Did not win, but the 2 major parties adopted many of their ideasmany of their ideas

Third PartiesThird Parties In 1912, former Republican president Theodore In 1912, former Republican president Theodore

Roosevelt ran for president for the Roosevelt ran for president for the Progressive Progressive PartyParty, or “Bull Moose Party”, or “Bull Moose Party”

Roosevelt was an alternative for conservatives; Roosevelt was an alternative for conservatives; emphasized worker’s rights, anti-trust laws, and a emphasized worker’s rights, anti-trust laws, and a government funded creation of wildlife refuges government funded creation of wildlife refuges for environmentalistsfor environmentalists

He won enough votes away from the Republican He won enough votes away from the Republican candidate, William Howard Taft, that the candidate, William Howard Taft, that the Democrat Woodrow Wilson won the presidential Democrat Woodrow Wilson won the presidential election (spoiler)election (spoiler)


Some third parties arise to promote a Some third parties arise to promote a social, economic, or moral issue.social, economic, or moral issue.

The Prohibitionist Party pushed for The Prohibitionist Party pushed for laws against the sale of alcohol.laws against the sale of alcohol.

Single-issue parties fade when the Single-issue parties fade when the issue loses importance or a major issue loses importance or a major party adopts it.party adopts it.

Third PartiesThird Parties Ideological parties focus on changing Ideological parties focus on changing

society in major ways.society in major ways.

The Socialist Labor Party and Communist The Socialist Labor Party and Communist PartyParty favor government ownership. favor government ownership.

The Libertarian PartyThe Libertarian Party wants more wants more individual freedom, less government individual freedom, less government interference in everyday lives; interference in everyday lives; The Green The Green PartyParty wants to protect consumers from the wants to protect consumers from the power of corporationspower of corporations


Some third parties form around well-Some third parties form around well-known individuals who cannot get known individuals who cannot get support from a major party.support from a major party.

Some parties fade after their Some parties fade after their candidates’ defeat.candidates’ defeat.

Ex. H. Ross Perot 1992 Independent Ex. H. Ross Perot 1992 Independent PartyParty

1996 Reform Party1996 Reform Party

Disadvantages to Third PartiesDisadvantages to Third Parties Republican and Democratic candidates are Republican and Democratic candidates are

automatically placed on the ballot in many states. automatically placed on the ballot in many states.

Third party candidates must obtain a large Third party candidates must obtain a large number of signatures to even get on the ballotnumber of signatures to even get on the ballot

Usually only one candidate can win a district; Usually only one candidate can win a district; most voters favor one of the major parties.most voters favor one of the major parties.

Third parties have trouble raising enough money Third parties have trouble raising enough money to compete with the major partiesto compete with the major parties

Other Party SystemsOther Party Systems Political parties exist in most countries, but Political parties exist in most countries, but

two party systems are raretwo party systems are rare

Most democracies have multiparty Most democracies have multiparty systemssystems

One party rarely wins enough support to One party rarely wins enough support to control the government, so several parties control the government, so several parties must work together; Competing interests must work together; Competing interests can create a politically unstable situationcan create a politically unstable situation

Ex. Canada-3 Germany-5 Israel-20Ex. Canada-3 Germany-5 Israel-20

Other Party SystemsOther Party Systems

In a one-party system, the government In a one-party system, the government and party are nearly the same thing.and party are nearly the same thing.

In the People’s Republic of China, only the In the People’s Republic of China, only the Communist Party is allowed to exist. Communist Party is allowed to exist.

This is not a democracyThis is not a democracy

There are no rival candidates in the There are no rival candidates in the elections; it is a pointless exerciseelections; it is a pointless exercise

Today’s Major PartiesToday’s Major Parties

Competing political parties give Competing political parties give voters a choice among candidates voters a choice among candidates and ideas.and ideas.

The major parties differ mainly in The major parties differ mainly in their belief about how much the their belief about how much the government should be involved in government should be involved in the lives of Americansthe lives of Americans


Democrats tend to believe that the federal Democrats tend to believe that the federal government should be more directly government should be more directly involved in regulating the economy and involved in regulating the economy and providing for the poorproviding for the poor

Republicans tend to believe that if they Republicans tend to believe that if they help the economy grow, poor people will help the economy grow, poor people will have a better chance of finding jobs and have a better chance of finding jobs and providing for themselves; less government providing for themselves; less government regulation, let free market operate regulation, let free market operate


Both parties try to appeal to as many Both parties try to appeal to as many voters as possible.voters as possible.

As a result, they tend to adopt As a result, they tend to adopt mainstream, moderate positions and mainstream, moderate positions and avoid the extreme positionsavoid the extreme positions

Parties are similar because the Parties are similar because the American people generally agree American people generally agree about many issuesabout many issues


The American people can learn about the The American people can learn about the positions of each party through their positions of each party through their platform—platform—a series of statements a series of statements expressing the party’s principles, beliefs, expressing the party’s principles, beliefs, and positions on issues. and positions on issues.

Each individual part is called a Each individual part is called a plank.plank.

The platform communicates to voters what The platform communicates to voters what the party plans to do if it wins.the party plans to do if it wins.

Ch. 9.2: Organization of American Ch. 9.2: Organization of American Political PartiesPolitical Parties

The goal that unites a party’s national, The goal that unites a party’s national, state, and local organizations is to help the state, and local organizations is to help the party win as many offices as possible.party win as many offices as possible.

Each party has a Each party has a national committee national committee made up of representatives from all of the made up of representatives from all of the 50 states; headed by a 50 states; headed by a national party national party chairpersonchairperson

Responsible for raising funds for Responsible for raising funds for presidential elections and organizes the presidential elections and organizes the party’s national conventionparty’s national convention

National Party OrganizationNational Party Organization

At the national convention, party At the national convention, party delegates from all the states write delegates from all the states write the the platform platform and nominate and nominate candidates for president and vice candidates for president and vice presidentpresident

Each party chooses delegates in the Each party chooses delegates in the primary elections primary elections

National Party OrganizationNational Party Organization Historically, national conventions were Historically, national conventions were

suspenseful. suspenseful.

Today, primary elections generally decide Today, primary elections generally decide the nominations before the conventions the nominations before the conventions take placetake place

Each party also has a House and Senate Each party also has a House and Senate campaign committee; responsible for campaign committee; responsible for electing as many members of Congress as electing as many members of Congress as possible.possible.

State and Local OrganizationState and Local Organization

Each party has 50 state Each party has 50 state organizations that work to elect their organizations that work to elect their party’s candidates for national office.party’s candidates for national office.

Local party organizations consist of Local party organizations consist of towns, cities, and county committeestowns, cities, and county committees

Each city or county is divided into Each city or county is divided into election districts or election districts or precinctsprecincts

State and Local OrganizationState and Local Organization A A precinct precinct is a geographic area that is a geographic area that

contains a specific number of voters.contains a specific number of voters.

It may be an entire small town or part of a It may be an entire small town or part of a large citylarge city

All voters in a precinct use the same All voters in a precinct use the same voting place.voting place.

Precinct captain organizes other party Precinct captain organizes other party volunteers and encourages people to votevolunteers and encourages people to vote


Several adjoining precincts make up Several adjoining precincts make up a larger political unit called a a larger political unit called a wardward

A volunteer represents the ward at A volunteer represents the ward at the party’s county committeethe party’s county committee


Counties are the largest political Counties are the largest political units in a state. units in a state.

A A county chairperson county chairperson runs the runs the county committee and has great county committee and has great power if the county is largepower if the county is large

Could advise higher ups within the Could advise higher ups within the party on potential appointmentsparty on potential appointments


Local party people build support at the Local party people build support at the “grassroots” level.“grassroots” level.

Local leaders must know how their Local leaders must know how their neighbors fell about issues important to neighbors fell about issues important to them them

At election time they must “deliver the At election time they must “deliver the vote” for party candidates at every levelvote” for party candidates at every level

State and Local OrganizationState and Local Organization In the past, some local party organizations In the past, some local party organizations

became so powerful that they were called became so powerful that they were called political machinespolitical machines

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the Tammany In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the Tammany Hall organization ruled New York City. Its leader Hall organization ruled New York City. Its leader Boss Tweed, grew rich from bribes and kickbacks.Boss Tweed, grew rich from bribes and kickbacks.

At a time when no social service agencies At a time when no social service agencies existed, political machines provided needy existed, political machines provided needy citizens with jobs, food, and other services in citizens with jobs, food, and other services in return for votes.return for votes.

State and Local OrganizationState and Local Organization Tweed’s Tammany Hall controlled Tweed’s Tammany Hall controlled

business, politics, and law enforcementbusiness, politics, and law enforcement

Businesses would pay employees Businesses would pay employees “bonuses” to vote for politicians that were “bonuses” to vote for politicians that were supported by Tammany Hallsupported by Tammany Hall

Eventually political machines become Eventually political machines become unresponsive to the needs of the unresponsive to the needs of the community because they have become so community because they have become so entrenched; no fear of losing powerentrenched; no fear of losing power


Membership in a political party is not Membership in a political party is not required, but it offers a way for required, but it offers a way for citizens to be involved in politicscitizens to be involved in politics

The only duty is to voteThe only duty is to vote

Can contribute money, do volunteer Can contribute money, do volunteer work, or help with election work, or help with election campaigns.campaigns.

Ch. 9.3: Role of Political Parties Ch. 9.3: Role of Political Parties TodayToday

Political parties are active year-round.Political parties are active year-round.

They keep people informed and interested They keep people informed and interested in the issues and candidatesin the issues and candidates

They try to see that the party’s elected They try to see that the party’s elected officials are commended for their good job; officials are commended for their good job; politically criticize actions of the opposing politically criticize actions of the opposing partyparty

Nominating CandidatesNominating Candidates

Parties select candidates through the Parties select candidates through the nomination process.nomination process.

In direct primaries, voters in each state In direct primaries, voters in each state choose candidates to represent the party choose candidates to represent the party in a general election.in a general election.

Often the winner of the most primaries Often the winner of the most primaries wins the party’s nominationwins the party’s nomination


Most states hold closed primaries in Most states hold closed primaries in which only declared members may which only declared members may vote for the party’s nomineesvote for the party’s nominees

A few states hold open primaries in A few states hold open primaries in which voters need not declare a which voters need not declare a party preference to vote for the party preference to vote for the party’s nomineesparty’s nominees

Nominating CandidatesNominating Candidates For offices open to only one winner, the For offices open to only one winner, the

nomination usually goes to the candidate nomination usually goes to the candidate who receives a who receives a pluralityplurality—the most votes —the most votes among all those running.among all those running.

In a few states, the winner must have a In a few states, the winner must have a majority—a number greater than half of majority—a number greater than half of the totalthe total

If no candidate receives a majority, the If no candidate receives a majority, the party or state holds a party or state holds a runoff election runoff election between the two top vote gettersbetween the two top vote getters


An independent candidate may get An independent candidate may get on the ballot if enough voters sign a on the ballot if enough voters sign a petition—a paper declaring support petition—a paper declaring support for the candidatefor the candidate

Other Party RolesOther Party Roles

Parties raise money for the campaign Parties raise money for the campaign and help get the candidates’ views and help get the candidates’ views across to the public; do this through across to the public; do this through campaign pamphlets, speeches, campaign pamphlets, speeches, advertisingadvertising

Make sure supporters are registered Make sure supporters are registered to vote and actually show upto vote and actually show up

Other Party RolesOther Party Roles After an election, party leaders recommend party After an election, party leaders recommend party

supporters for top government jobs to be filled by supporters for top government jobs to be filled by appointment.appointment.

Plays an important “watchdog” role.Plays an important “watchdog” role.

Party out of power watches the actions of those in Party out of power watches the actions of those in power constantly looking for mistakes and misuse power constantly looking for mistakes and misuse of power.of power.

Competition between parties forces the party in Competition between parties forces the party in power to pay attention to the will of the people.power to pay attention to the will of the people.

ch. 9.1: development of american political parties

Documents

political party

democratic party

federalist party

party split

party movement

major parties

strong national government

partys candidates