1. Political Parties

2. Groups of voters with common interests who want to influence the government Groups of voters with common interests who want to influence the government The U.S. has a two-party system The U.S. has a two-party system All national elections have been won by one of two parties All national elections have been won by one of two parties

3. American Political System George Washington warned America about the creation of Political parties. First Political Parties Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists

4. Past and Present Democratic- Republicans Led by Thomas Jefferson Favored a weak govt. Federalists Led by Alexander Hamilton Favored a strong national govt. PAST

5. 2 Party System We have always been a 2 party system- those parties have included: FederalistsWhigs Democratic Republicans The 2 parties today are the Democrats and Republicans- The problem is that most people do not fit totally into one of these parties. So what do you do?

6. PRESENT Democratic Party Has roots in Jefferson’s Democratic- Republican Party Republican Party Born from the dispute over slavery Lincoln was 1 st Republican president

7. Third Parties Never won a national election Rarely wins other elections Can effect outcome of elections Reason they fail Not enough votes to get on ballot Trouble raising money

8. Examples of Third Parties Populist Party 1890s Combo of farmers/workers Wanted 8 hour workdays and direct election of senators

9. Progressive Party Split from Republican Party Led by Theodore Roosevelt Caused Democrats win election

10. Single Issue Parties Promote a cause Not necessarily in it to win but to gain awareness Example Prohibition Party – wanted ban on alcohol

11. Independents Party forms around candidate Example: Ross Perot

12. Other Systems Multi-Party Most common in the world More than two parties involved Hard to win a majority Must get plurality – most votes won among those running

13. Sometimes a coalition occurs and parties join together to get more votes Examples Canada – 3 parties Germany – 5 parties Israel – around 20 parties

14. One Party Party and government are the same Only party allowed to run Examples Communist – China Theocracy – Iran