1.  starter activity How would you describe the political differences between these two presidents?

2. How do Democrats and Republicans differ? To identify the similarities and differences between the two major US political parties  Aims

3.  Your task Read Bennett p.117-122 on the political differences between the two main parties and complete a table noting the response of Democrats and Republicans to the 6 big issues that have traditionally divided the parties. Read Bennett p.117-122 on the political differences between the two main parties and complete a table noting the response of Democrats and Republicans to the 6 big issues that have traditionally divided the parties.

4.  Your task Study the cards your teacher provides and sort them into two groups: Democrat or Republican Study the cards your teacher provides and sort them into two groups: Democrat or Republican Democrats Republicans

5.  Your task Read Bennett p.126—130 and define the term ‘Solid South’. Explain when and how the Solid South was broken up. Read Bennett p.126—130 and define the term ‘Solid South’. Explain when and how the Solid South was broken up.

6. Solid South Describes idea that whether black, white, liberal or conservative you voted Democrat if you lived in the South Describes idea that whether black, white, liberal or conservative you voted Democrat if you lived in the South ‘Yellow dog Democrats’ – even a yellow dog as a Democratic candidate could win ‘Yellow dog Democrats’ – even a yellow dog as a Democratic candidate could win Break down of ‘solid South’ 1964-2000 due to perceptions as party of ‘tax and spend’ and overly liberal attitudes Break down of ‘solid South’ 1964-2000 due to perceptions as party of ‘tax and spend’ and overly liberal attitudes Emergence of ‘solid North East’ Emergence of ‘solid North East’

7.  Your task Create a scales chart gathering evidence to support the so-called ’50-50 nation’ principle and evidence that this idea is over simplistic. How true is his term today? Create a scales chart gathering evidence to support the so-called ’50-50 nation’ principle and evidence that this idea is over simplistic. How true is his term today?

8. 50-50 nation 2000 presidential election, both sides gained 49% of popular vote, electoral college divided 271-267, House of Representatives divided 221- 212; Senate split 50-50 2000 presidential election, both sides gained 49% of popular vote, electoral college divided 271-267, House of Representatives divided 221- 212; Senate split 50-50 2004 presidential election, 51%-48, electoral college divided 286-252, House divided 232-202, Senate split 55-45 2004 presidential election, 51%-48, electoral college divided 286-252, House divided 232-202, Senate split 55-45

9. Problems with 50-50 Overly simplistic, e.g. 2008, 9 states which previously voted for Bush voted for Obama Overly simplistic, e.g. 2008, 9 states which previously voted for Bush voted for Obama Congressional & state elections sometimes differ from presidential results, e.g. West Virginia voted McCain, but its Senator and Representatives are Democrats Congressional & state elections sometimes differ from presidential results, e.g. West Virginia voted McCain, but its Senator and Representatives are Democrats New York voted Democrat in presidentials but has had Republican governor recently New York voted Democrat in presidentials but has had Republican governor recently Decline in party voting Decline in party voting

10. 2000

11. 2004

12.  Your task List reasons for the ‘red-blue’ divide using the evidence on p.133-4. List reasons for the ‘red-blue’ divide using the evidence on p.133-4.

13. Red-Blue divide New right – Reagan’s more ideological approach moved politics away from centre ground, you were either ‘with us or against us’ New right – Reagan’s more ideological approach moved politics away from centre ground, you were either ‘with us or against us’ Collapse of Cold War consensus politics Collapse of Cold War consensus politics Clinton opened divisive issues of 1960s – sex, feminism, authority & morality Clinton opened divisive issues of 1960s – sex, feminism, authority & morality Bush – foreign policy, esp. Iraq, divided country Bush – foreign policy, esp. Iraq, divided country Media – polarised opinion, esp. growth of media syndicates, e.g. News International Media – polarised opinion, esp. growth of media syndicates, e.g. News International

14. Big tent coalitions Both parties remain ‘big tent’ coalitions Both parties remain ‘big tent’ coalitions Wide spectrum of political ideologies Wide spectrum of political ideologies Republican and Democrat over-simplifies Republican and Democrat over-simplifies Need for prefixes, e.g. ‘conservative’, liberal’ or ‘moderate’ Need for prefixes, e.g. ‘conservative’, liberal’ or ‘moderate’ Also ‘hawks’ & ‘doves’, ‘isolationists’ & ‘internationalists’ Also ‘hawks’ & ‘doves’, ‘isolationists’ & ‘internationalists’

15.  Extension task You have been asked by Time magazine to create a survey to assess the Democrat or Republican leanings of students at FSG. Write a survey and test it out on your peers. Include the following areas: You have been asked by Time magazine to create a survey to assess the Democrat or Republican leanings of students at FSG. Write a survey and test it out on your peers. Include the following areas: Education Education Immigration Immigration Foreign policy, e.g. Iraq & Afghanistan Foreign policy, e.g. Iraq & Afghanistan Family values Family values Health care Health care Socio-economic profile Socio-economic profile

16.  Homework Visit the Democrat and Republican Party websites (links on www.studyhistory.co.uk ) and note down the current policies of both parties Visit the Democrat and Republican Party websites (links on www.studyhistory.co.uk ) and note down the current policies of both partieswww.studyhistory.co.uk Complete Section 2 of the study guide. Complete Section 2 of the study guide.

17. Plenary Plenary List as many ideological or policy differences between Democrats & Republicans as possible List as many ideological or policy differences between Democrats & Republicans as possible What is meant by the term ‘solid South’ What is meant by the term ‘solid South’ What evidence is there to suggest the USA has become a 50-50 nation What evidence is there to suggest the USA has become a 50-50 nation What evidence is there to suggest it is a ‘purple’ nation? What evidence is there to suggest it is a ‘purple’ nation?