Evolution of Political PartiesEvolution of Political Parties7 periods7 periods
1. 1789-1816 Creation of Parties
2. 1816-1828 Era of one Party rule
3. 1828-1860 Andrew Jackson – pre Civil War
4. 1860-1896 Civil War and Post Civil War
5. 1896-1932 Rep. ascendancy & progressive per.
6. 1932-1968 New Deal
7. 1968-present Modern period
1. Formative Years1. Formative YearsFederalists vs Anti-Federalist over ratification of
ConstitutionWashington’s warning “baneful effects”
– Threat to national unity– Threat to popular government
Need to identify political differencesFederalist: commercial interests, strong nat. gov.Anti-Fed became Rep. (Dem-Rep): artisans,
farmers, states rights – diff from Lincoln1800 1st peaceful transfer of power
2. Era of One Party Rule2. Era of One Party RuleEra of Good FeelingsRepublicans elected on a regular basis
– President and CongressFederalist Party disappeared – no competitionNot support strong national gov, but . . .
– Louisiana Purchase– Florida– Established a national bank
James Monroe 1817-1825
3. Two Party Rule: Dem & Whigs 3. Two Party Rule: Dem & Whigs Republican Party split
– John Quincy Adams – National Republicans– Andrew Jackson – Democrats (defeated Adams 1828)
Favored personal liberty, common man
National Republicans became Whigs1820 – Dem. encouraged participation of
masses– Food and drink @ polling places– Rallies, parades– Made citizens feel part of process
4. Civil War & post 1860-18964. Civil War & post 1860-1896
Whig party split – slaverySouthern Whigs ceased to exits as a partyNorthern Whigs united with Democrats
and Free Soil Party– Formed the Republican Party – Lincoln’s party
After war, south joined Democratic Party– Grew in strength: 3/5 count abolished
Golden Age 1874-1912: period of stability
Republican’s grew in strength with development of populist movement in West– Farmers: inflation reduced real value of outstanding
debts - Democrats– Urban blue collar worker: reduced purchasing
power of paycheck – Republicans
Early 1900’s Progressivism – Fear of growing power of great corporations– Need to regulate the economy
1912 – Republican Party split – Bull Moose, spoiler role – Woodrow Wilson won
W. Wilson introduced eco regulations
6. New Deal6. New Deal
Republican Party opposed federal reliefFDR elected 4 termsOpened New Deal programs to all
– African-American’s flooded to party
Eisenhower in 1950’s only Republican during this era.
7. Modern Era7. Modern Era
Divided GovernmentNo one party controlled the governmentDemocratic Party
– African Americans and those who were hostile to them– Southerners left party – Dixiecrats
1960’s decade of civil rights movement, race riots, Viet Nam protests, assassinations– Social issues became more important than economic
Republicans had more success in the Whitehouse, Democrats in Congress
Democrats controlled WH & Congress– 1977-1981: Carter– 1993-1995: Clinton (only 2 years)
Republicans controlled WH & Congress– 2003-2005: GW Bush
Future of Political PartiesFuture of Political Parties
Power lost:– Recruit member through spoils system– Conduct elections, Print ballots– Primaries selecting nominees– Civil service laws – merit based– Issue-oriented politics, ticket-splitting– TV: emphasizes individuals over party– Independents: 19% 1958, 40% 2012
Political Parties provide:– Nomination of candidates– Vetting of candidates– Inform voters– Activate voter participation– Policy formulation and promotion– Watchdog function for out-of-power party
Third Party / Minor PartyThird Party / Minor Partyhttp://www.presidentsusa.net/thirdparty.html http://www.presidentsusa.net/thirdparty.html
2000 – Ralph Nader, Green Party 1996, 1992 – Ross Perot, Reform Party 1968 – George Wallace, Am Independent
Party 1924 – Robert LaFollette, Progressive Party 1912 – Teddy Roosevelt, Bull Moose Party 1856 – Millard Fillmore, American Party
33rdrd Party Rise Party Rise Sectionalism: Dixiecrats 1968Economic protest: Populists 1892Specific Issues: Green Party 2000Ideology – Socialists, Communists,
LiberterianCharismatic Personalities – George
Wallace, American Independent PartyFailures of Major Parties – Perot, Nader
Why do 3Why do 3rdrd Parties remain Parties remain Minor Parties?Minor Parties?
Single-member plurality- winner takes allMajor parties automatically placed on ballots
– 3rd parties gather signatures– PA 67,000 signatures, registered voters who voted
Not invited to debatesLegislatures organized for 2 partiesPublic funding more generous to major partyMedia tends to ignore “non-winners”
Value of Minor PartiesValue of Minor Parties
Popularize new ideas– Anti Masons 1st to nominate candidates at
National ConventionsVehicle for popular discontent – criticInduce change in major partiesSpoiler Role in elections
– 2000 – Nader, Gore, Bush– 1912 – Roosevelt, Taft, Wilson
Types of Minor PartiesTypes of Minor Parties
Ideological – Libertarian, Socialist,– Long lived
Single-issue – Know Nothings, Free Soil– Disappears once resolved
Economic Protest – Greenbacks, Populists– Disappear once the economy improves
Splinter – split away from a major party– Most important minor party– Formed around strong personalities– Bull Moose, Green, Reform
Party in the GovernmentParty in the Government
Congressional Party– Selects party leaders and committee appts.– Organize and operate Congress– Majority party generally holds more power– Hurt by Individualistic nature of current
politicsIndependentsSplit-ticket voting
Party in ElectorateParty in Electorate
Citizen’s personal affinity for a political party
Sources:– Parents– Marriage and other aspects of adult life– Charismatic political personalities– Cataclysmic events– Social class