1. Political Parties Academic Civics Mr. Blough

2. Republican vs. Democrat What does it mean to be a Republican? What does it mean to be a Democrat?

3. Republican vs. Democrat Small Government Lower Taxes National Security Family Values Favor 2nd Amendment Business over the environment Pro-Life Large Government Higher Taxes Individual Rights Gay Rights Gun Control Environment over business Pro-Choice * Note that these are generalizations

4. Democrats vs. Republicans Democrats Generally appeals to: –Working class –Catholics –Minorities –Union members –Those who think the government should use tax $$$ to benefit society Republicans Generally appeals to: –Big and small business –Protestants –Hunters/Gun Owners –People who think the government should stay out of peoples’ lives * Note that these are generalizations

5. Democrat vs. Republican Elephant In a cartoon that appeared in Harper's Weekly in 1874, there was a donkey clothed in lion's skin, scaring away all the animals at the zoo. One of those animals, the elephant, was labeled “The Republican Vote.” Donkey - Goes back to Andrew Jackson (1828) - Referred to as a stubborn jackass by his opponents - Stuck with the party ever since Political Symbolism

6. “The Republican Vote” Thomas Nast (1874)

7. Conservative vs. Liberal “Conservative” What does it mean to be conservative? “Liberal” What does it mean to be liberal? “Moderate” What does it mean to be moderate?

8. Where do they stand on today’s issues?? Liberal Conservative DemocratsRepublicans Stronger government and taxes to help the victims in society (forward-thinking) Less government; “I can help myself” (traditional)

9. Is our country red??

10. or blue??

11. Or Purple??

12. Minor Parties Also known as “third parties” Represent voters who do not necessarily side with the Dems/GOP

13. PROS/CONS of Minor Parties Pros (benefits) –Give voters other options besides D/R –Represent a variety of issues –Can influence elections even without winning Cons (disadvantages) –Don’t have the support or $$$ like D/R –Usually don’t last too long –Have a difficult time winning elections –Take votes away from the two major parties

14. Effect of Third Parties

15. Types of Minor Parties Ideological –Set around a certain set of ideas –Have a broad platform Examples: –Communist –Nazi –Libertarian Splinter –Break away from one of the two major parties Examples: –Tea Party –Dixiecrats

16. Types of Minor Parties Single-Issue –Centered around one issue Examples: –Right to Life Party –Rent is Too Damned High Party –Prohibition Party (1900s) Economic Protest –Focused on improving the economy –Money, banking, taxes, etc.