1. The First Political Parties

2. Political Party A political party is a group of people who want to control government through winning of elections and holding public office. A political party is a group of people who want to control government through winning of elections and holding public office.

3. Background Information: Political Parties There are numerous political parties in America today There are numerous political parties in America today The two major parties are Republican and Democrat The two major parties are Republican and Democrat

4. Background Information: Political Parties To gain support for their party, members shape their positions, called platforms. To gain support for their party, members shape their positions, called platforms. Most people do not agree with a party’s platform 100% of the time, but most people find they lean one way or the other. Most people do not agree with a party’s platform 100% of the time, but most people find they lean one way or the other.

5. Background Information: Two Party System The two dominant parties often attack one another’s platforms and agendas. The two dominant parties often attack one another’s platforms and agendas. They often work to vote the other party out and replace their position with one of their own. They often work to vote the other party out and replace their position with one of their own.

6. The First Parties The framers of the Constitution did not plan political parties. The framers of the Constitution did not plan political parties. They began over philosophical differences about how the Constitution should be implemented. They began over philosophical differences about how the Constitution should be implemented.

7. The First Parties Federalists – believed that the government should take as much power as it needs. A strong federal government would replace strong state’s rights Federalists – believed that the government should take as much power as it needs. A strong federal government would replace strong state’s rights Supported by: Washington, Supported by: Washington, Adams, Hamilton Adams, Hamilton

8. The First Parties Democratic Republicans – believed that the government only have the powers written expressly in the Constitution and no more. States should have more control. Democratic Republicans – believed that the government only have the powers written expressly in the Constitution and no more. States should have more control. Supported by: Jefferson, Madison, Monroe Supported by: Jefferson, Madison, Monroe

9. The First Parties George Washington did not belong to a party, although he backed Federalists, he warned that political parties could divide the nation. George Washington did not belong to a party, although he backed Federalists, he warned that political parties could divide the nation.

10. History of American Politics The divisions in American politics have remained the same even when the issues have changed. The divisions in American politics have remained the same even when the issues have changed. The Federalists, in 1800, attracted wealthy, educated men, and the party protected business The Federalists, in 1800, attracted wealthy, educated men, and the party protected business The same things are often said about Republicans today (although the issues are different). The same things are often said about Republicans today (although the issues are different).

11. Federalists Leader: Alexander Hamilton Rule by the wealthy class Rule by the wealthy class Strong federal government Strong federal government Emphasis on manufacturing Emphasis on manufacturing Loose interpretation of Constitution Loose interpretation of Constitution (implied powers) British alliance British alliance National bank National bank Protective tariffs Protective tariffs

12. History of American Politics Democratic-Republicans, in 1800, attracted laborers, middle class, and the “common man” Democratic-Republicans, in 1800, attracted laborers, middle class, and the “common man”

13. Democratic-Republicans Leader: Thomas Jefferson Rule by the people Rule by the people Strong state governments Strong state governments Emphasis on agriculture Emphasis on agriculture Strict interpretation of Constitution (only “absolutely necessary” implied powers Strict interpretation of Constitution (only “absolutely necessary” implied powers French alliance French alliance State banks State banks Free trade Free trade

14. Causes of Political Parties Difference of opinion Difference of opinion Different philosophies of government Different philosophies of government Conflicting interpretations of the Constitution Conflicting interpretations of the Constitution Different economic & regional interests Different economic & regional interests Disagreement over foreign affairs Disagreement over foreign affairs

15. Effects of Political Parties Federalists and Democratic- Republicans can propose different solutions Federalists and Democratic- Republicans can propose different solutions The two parties nominate candidates The two parties nominate candidates Political parties become a way of American life Political parties become a way of American life