Friday November 21, 2014 Agenda Homework Why a Donkey and why an Elephant? Third Party Notes Party Presentations due Tuesday!
Civics and Economics Day 61 3rd 6 Weeks
TWO PARTY SYSTEM Republicans/GOP Democrats
Democrats- The Donkey Presidential candidate Andrew Jackson was the first Democrat ever to be associated with the donkey symbol. His opponents during the election of 1828 tried to label him a "jackass" for his “stubborn” populist beliefs and slogan, "Let the people rule." Jackson was entertained by the notion and ended up using it to his advantage on his campaign posters.
Thomas Nast Cartoons
Republican- The Elephant Political cartoonist Thomas Nast was also responsible for the Republican Party elephant. In a cartoon that appeared in Harper's Weekly in 1874, Nast drew 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." That's all it took for the elephant to become associated with the Republican Party
Thomas Nast Cartoon
Third Party and Independent Notes
HOW DO I KNOW WHAT THE PARTIES BELIEVE? Each party writes a PLATFORM. PLATFORM-a series of statements that express a parties views, principles, and believes on election issues. PLANK-is an individual part of a platform.
Ralph Nader, Green Party Candidate, 2000 Third Parties Any party other than the two major parties =“Third party.” No third party has ever gained control of the White House. When these smaller groups challenge the two major parties, they can change the outcome of elections. Their most important role is to influence policy on one or more issues. Ralph Nader, Green Party Candidate, 2000
Ideological Third Parties An ideology is a body of ideas put forth by a person or group. These rise and fall over time. Ideological parties want to change society in major ways. The Socialist and Communist Parties want to nationalize major industries. The Green Party calls for companies to respect the environment.
THIRD PARTY Problems with 3rd Parties: Hard to get enough support to win elections. Harder to raise money, because there are fewer members, harder to campaign. Rarely win elections.
INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES Candidates who are not a member of a party. People who often cannot get support from 1 of the 2 main parties will run as an independent.
The Odds Are Against Them Only one candidate can win in a given district. Usually the winner is either Democratic or Republican. Third-party candidates must show they have support by getting voter signatures to even be placed on the ballot for national office.
Questions?
Parties from around the World
Political Parties in Just Germany
New Project: Political Parties from Around the World I want you all to pick a random country from the world, or one that you find interesting. You will make a presentation and on Tuesday/Wednesday will be presenting to the class about your party in a 2-4 minute presentation. IF YOU WILL NOT BE HERE ON WEDNESDAY, YOU MUST PRESENT ON TUESDAY. IF YOU SIGN UP ON WEDNESDAY AND ARE ABSENT AND DO NOT HAVE AN EXCUSED ABSENCE, YOUR PROJECT IS DEDUCTED 10 POINTS. Your presentation should have at least 5 slides including a title slide for with your name and political party, not too much text on each slide, pictures on over half the slides and should last 2-4 minutes. If the presentation is short then it is -10 points. Every minute over is -5 points.
Project Questions What is the Name of the Party? Country the party is found? Percentage of the vote the party received in the last election/number of seats in their house/parliament. Who is the leader of the party? What is the house they are in called? Where do they stand on the following issues? Taxes Government Spending Social/Domestic Issues like Gay Marriage, Gun Control, etc. Immigration War Any other major issue they believe in.