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