Unit 6 – Politics in America

I. Parties

A. Pre-Revolution

1. Loyalists – wanted to stay with England

2. Patriots – wanted to revolt

3. Neutral – did not favor a side

B. Constitution

1. Federalists – favored creation, strong, central government.

2. Anti-federalists – opposed creation, favored states.

C. Early Republic

1. Federalistsa. Loose constructionists.b. Alexander Hamiltonc. John Marshalld. George Washington favored them

2. Democratic Republicansa. Strict constructionistsb. Thomas Jeffersonc. Common man should have rights

C. Early Republic continued…

3. Federalists lose elections to Jefferson.

4. They oppose the War of 1812 and looked like traitors.

5. The party dies.

6. Nation enters period known as “Era of Good Feelings,” cause there was only one party.

D. Split

1. Too many people that disagree run for president in 1824.

2. Speaker Henry Clay “gives” election to John Q. Adams.

3. Jackson supporters are mad and break off to form Democrats.

4. Adams supporters become Whigs.

E. Jackson Era

1. Jackson wins in 1828.

2. Supports common man.

3. Builds “party machine.”a. Organizes in cities

b. Hires workers to promote party

c. Distributes pamphlets.

F. Slavery

1. Whigs support nationalism, but are divided over slavery.

2. Party splits between North and South.3. Northerners abolitionists join Free Soil

party to make the Republicans.4. They are able to win election 1860 with

Abe Lincoln.5. Democrats are weakened by divisions till

1930’s.

G. Progressive Era

1. Socialists and Populists favor worker’s rights and opportunity for poor.

2. Democrats and Republicans make liberal ideas their own.

3. Prohibition.

4. Women’s Suffrage

5. Labor Unions

6. Conservation

H. New Deal

1. People are disappointed with conservative Republicans.

2. New Deal coalition is an umbrella of supporters for Dems.

a. Southerners (conservative)b. Eastern and Southern Europeans.c. Unionsd. Jewse. African-Americans.f. Intelligentsia g. All hope for economic intervention.

3. They hold onto most of the White House 1932-1968 and most of Congress 1930-1994.

I. Change in Politics

1. Reagan (R) makes party more conservative.a. Supports a big military to end Cold War.b. Dislikes big taxes and government.c. Makes American proud again after troubled 1970’s.

2. Clinton (D) brings party to a central point to compete with GOP.

a. Cut taxes for middle class.b. Tones down support for abortion and gays.c. Used military to protect people of Kosovo from

persecution.d. Starts welfare to work.e. Balances the budget.

J. Parties Today

1. Republicans

a. Family Values (Christian-Judean) i. Pro-life

ii. Favor traditional marriage

b. Low taxes, equal for all people.

c. Small government

d. Big military

e. Isolationist (?)

f. Pro-gun

g. Midwest and South, rural areas.

2. Democrats

a. Pro-choiceb. Favor civil unionsc. Use government to create economic

opportunity.d. Civil rights.e. Internationalists – use peace, United Nations.f. Taxes should be progressive, heavier for the

rich. g. West Coast, Great Lakes, Northeast, urban

areas.

K. Third Parties

1. Ideological

a. Philosophy or way of thinking that impacts many issues.

b. Communists & Socialists = Karl Marx.

c. Constitutional Party = Strict Constructionist

d. Libertarian = John Locke, Thomas Jefferson & protecting rights.

e. Reform Party = fix problematic gov’t.

2. Economic Issues

a. One specific money issue.

b. Taxpayers = low taxes

3. Single Issue

a. Only concerned about one issue.

b. Prohibition = no drinking

c. Green Party = started to fix environment, now covers more issues.

4. Splinter Party

a. Break off from large party.

b. Teddy Roosevelt’s Bull Moose Party broke away from Rep. in 1912.

c. Progressives and Dixiecrats broke away from Dems. In 1948.

L. Organization

1. Party meetings at county and state level.

2. National committee decides platform and election strategy.

3. Chairperson runs committee, can be selected by president if he is in same party.

4. Conventions are every four years to nominate president.

II. Elections

A. Primaries

1. Spring

2. Different in each state.

3. Choose candidates for party

4. In PA they are closed, you can only vote within your party.

B. General

1. First Tuesday following the first Monday of November.

2. All voters select the winners for offices.

C. Presidential Elections

1. Exploratory committee is set up to find out if they have a chance.

2. Candidates visit New Hampshire for first primary in January.

3. They visit Iowa for first caucuses (where party officials choose candidate).

4. They gather as many delegate votes for their convention in the summer.

III. Civics

A. About Civics

1. Study of citizenship and the relationship between you and the community.

2. Citizenship – a. “a productive, responsible, caring, and contributing

member of society.”b. USA

i. Natural born – born in USA or internationally to American citizens.

ii. Naturalized – Foreign born person meets requirements.a.) Permanent resident for 5 years.b.) Good moral characterc.) Read and write basic Englishd.) Passes test on gov’t and history

B. Civic Responsibility

1. Musts:a. Jury dutyb. Selective Servicec. Taxesd. Obey the law

2. Voluntary:a. Courteous, respect othersb. Community servicec. Educationd. Work, contribute to economye. Votef. Knowledgeable of events

g. Critical of government

i. Declaration of Independence – a.) Gov’t should protect rights.b.) People should protest if they do not.c.) People may destroy the gov’t and create a new one.

ii. Unalienable rights – life, liberty, & pursuit of happiness.

iii. Constitution – Bill of rights (first ten amendments).

iv. Teddy Roosevelt “duty to criticize the president.”

C. Historical Roots

1. George Washington gave up power so his position would not be a dictatorship.

2. Founding fathers risked life to revolt in 1776 and form Constitution in 1787.

3. Men and women served in military to protect nation and keep peace in world.

4. Martin Luther King Jr. used peaceful protest=civil disobedience

D. Media

1. Medium is a means of communication.

2. TV is the most popular, internet is catching up.

3. Sound bites = short & catchy messages.

E. Public Opinion

1. Politicians want a mandate, are curious of public opinion.

2. Polls draw samples to predict what the universe believes.

3. Interest groups like trade associations lobby politicians.

4. Political Action Committees (PAC) fund campaigns.

F. Voting Rights Amendments

1. 15th

2. 19th

3. 24th

4. 26th

Race

Gender

Poll Tax outlawed

18 Years