The Minor Parties12th Grade U.S. Government

Created by: Jessica Peabody

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Learning Objectives and Standards• By the end of this tutorial, you will be able to

identify the types of minor parties and give examples with 90% accuracy.

• Tennessee State Standard 6.3- The student will understand he evolution of political parties and their roles as a mechanism for creating and sustaining political participation

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Splinter Party

Economic Protest PartyIdeological

Party

Single Issue Party

Why Minor Parties Matter

Ideological Party• An ideological party is

one that is based on a specific set of beliefs

• Many ideological parties are based on the work of Karl Marx, but not all are.

Ideological Party• Although ideological parties do not usually

win many votes, they tend to stay around for a long time.

• Examples of ideological parties are the Communist Party, the Socialist Party and the Libertarian Party.

Economic Protest Party• An economic protest party is

one that does not have an ideological base, but rather expresses discontent with the current economic conditions.

• They have historically criticized the major parties and protested for better times, often blaming real or imaginary enemies.

Economic Protest Party• The economic protest parties usually

disappear once the hard times are over.• Most economic protest parties have come

from the American South and West.• Examples are the Greenback Party (1876-

1884) and the Populist Party (1890’s)

Single Issue Party• A single issue party

tends to focus on one part of public policy.

• They usually take their names from they issue they represent.

Single Issue Party• Single issue parties are often short lived

because the issue is no longer relevant or one of the major parties picks up the issue as part of its platform.

• Examples of single issue parties are the Free Soil Party (against the spread of slavery in the 1840’s and 1850’s) and the modern Right to Life Party (against abortion).

Splinter Party• Splinter parties were

once a part of one of the major parties.

• Splinter parties tend to form around a single person, usually one that did not win the nomination of the party.

Splinter Party• Most of the prominent minor parties have been

splinter parties. • Splinter parties often disappear because the person

they support rejoins the major party. • Examples of splinter parties are the Progressive

“Bull Moose” Party (Theodore Roosevelt), the States’ Rights “Dixiecrat” Party (Henry Wallace) and the American Independent Party (George Wallace).

Why Minor Parties Matter• Minor Parties have had an

impact on American politics even though their support is usually low and have never won an election.

• They have brought issues to light during campaigns, pulled votes from the major parties in a spoiler role, and have set precedents for the major parties. For examples, minor parties were the first to hold primaries.

Summary• Minor parties are important even if they usually do

not win elections. • The four types of minor parties are ideological,

economic protest, single issue and splinter parties. • Ideological parties tend to stay around the longest.• Minor parties bring up issues that the major parties

may not be focused on and can play a role in deciding who is elected by pulling votes away from the major parties during elections.

QuizWe’ve learned so much today about minor

parties. Let’s see how you do in a little quiz on what you have read…

Begin Quiz

Question 1A party is a party based on a

system of beliefs.

1. Ideological

2. Economic protest

3. Splinter

4. Single issue

Great Job!

Next Question

Try Again

Go Back

Question 2The Green back Party is an example of a (an)

party.

1. Single issue

2. Economic protest

3. Ideological

4. Splinter

Wonderful!

Next Question

Uh-Oh!

Go Back

Question 3These parties are based around one strong

personality.

1. Single issue

2. Ideological

3. Splinter

4. Economic protest

Super!

Next Question

Almost

Go Back

Question 4These parties are short lived because their

issues are absorbed by major parties.

1. Ideological

2. Splinter

3. Economic protest

4. Single issue

You Got It!

Next Question

Oops!

Go Back

Question 5A party tends to stay around for a long

time.

1. Ideological

2. Economic protest

3. Single issue

4. Splinter

Yes!

Next Question

You’re so close!

Go Back

Question 6Most of these parties come from the American

South and West.

1. Splinter

2. Economic protest

3. Single issue

4. Ideological

Awesome Job!

Next Question

Not Quite, Try Again.

Go Back

Question 7The Free Soil Party is a party.

1. Ideological

2. Single issue

3. Economic protest

4. Splinter

Correct!

Next Question

Sorry!

Go Back

Question 8The “dixiecrats” were members of a

party.

1. Splinter

2. Single issue

3. Economic protest

4. Ideological

Oh Yeah!

Exit Quiz

Oh No!

Go Back

Great Job!

ResourcesContent from:

Magruder's American Government. -Chapter 4: Minor Parties

Graphics courtesy of:

www.PoweredTemplates.com

Microsoft Office Clip art gallery

Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia: The American Presidency- ap.grolier.com

Arcadio Esquivel, La Prensa, Panama, www.caglecartoons.com

University of Illinois Department of History: Comparative Working-Class History www.history.uiuc.edu/grad/prospective/fields/labor/

Boston University Department of Economics: Stories About Gold and Silver- Luke Beata: Free Silver http://www.bu.edu/econ/faculty/kyn/newweb/Ec341_money/Assignments/stories_gold_silver_lg.htm

Final ThoughtsMinor parties have played a huge role

historically in American politics and still have a role today. Can you think of any minor parties that are impacting the upcoming elections?

Congratulations! You Did Great Today!