Advanced Placement U.S. Government & Politics Unit III: Political Parties, Interest Groups & the Mass Media

Unit III: Essential Questions Does the two-party system and the modern election process speak to the needs and political desires of the nation? What effect do interest groups have on the American political system, and do they more promote or undermine democracy? How has the media become so influential in US politics?

III.1 – Political Parties & the Two Party System What are political parties and what role have they played in American politics?

III.1 Vocabulary - bolter parties - doctrinal parties - independent candidates - national convention - party de-alignment - party realignment - party era - party platform - political parties - single-issue parties - third parties - two-party system

III.1 – The Two-Party System

III.1 – Development of Political Parties 1788-1817: Early Federal Period 1817-1829: Era of “Good Feeling” 1829-1854: Second Party Era (Jackson) 1854-1877: Civil War / Reconstruction 1877-1890: Gilded Age / Industrialization 1890-1920: Progressive Era 1932-1945: Depression / New Deal 1945-1965: Civil Rights 1965-Present: Modern Era

III.1 – The Two-Party System Jacksonian Democracy Andrew Jackson: “I have only two regrets: I didn't shoot Henry Clay and I didn't hang John C. Calhoun.” John C. Calhoun was his Vice President

III.2 –Congressional Elections & Apportionment - apportionment - coattails - congressional campaign committee - critical election - incumbent/incumbency - gerrymandering - lame duck - open seat - plurality election - redistricting - safe seat - sophomore surge

III.2 – Congressional Elections & Apportionment House 25 7 Years citizen Live in state Two year term Population Always popular vote Senate 30 9 Years citizen Live in state Six year term 1/3 each cycle Two per state 17thAmendment

III.3 – Primaries & Party Conventions - blanket primary - caucus - closed primary - critical election - delegates - front-loading - general election - national convention - open primary - party platform - plurality election - post-convention bounce - primary - split ticket voting -superdelegates

III.4 – Campaign Commercials Media Mass Media Broadcast Media Horse-race journalism

III.5 – The Electoral College - blue states - critical election - electoral college - plurality election - red states - safe state - swing state - winner-take-all system Essential Question: How does the electoral college affect presidential campaign strategies?

III.5 – Electoral College by the Numbers and Dates Total Votes – 538 Note: These are not the “electors”, it is simply where the numbers come from! 435 House of Representatives (proportional) 100 Senators (two per state) 3 for Washington D.C. (23 Amendment) Number needed to win – 270 No majority = House picks President Senate picks Vice President

III.5 – Electoral College by the Numbers and Dates Election Day First Tuesday after first Monday in November Electors Meet in States First Monday after second Wednesday in Dec. New Congress Sworn In January 3, 2017 Congress Counts Electors January 6, 2017

III.5 – Why an Electoral College? Why did the 'founders' decide on using the electoral college to choose the president? How was the election of 2000 a test of the electoral college system? What hope did the 'founders' have about the electoral college that was never realized? Why not?

III.5 – Elections with Issues President = Educated Man + Political Knowledge + Popular Vote + Electoral Vote

III.5 – Elections with Issues 1888 B. Harrison – Electoral Cleveland - Popular 2000 GW Bush – Electoral Gore - Popular 2016 Trump – Electoral Clinton - Popular 1800 Jefferson / Burr – electoral tie HOR picks Jefferson 1824 JQ Adams – Electoral Jackson - Popular 1876* RB Hayes –Electoral Tilden – Popular Contested results – Compromise of 1877

III.6 – Divided Government Presidency held by one party One or both houses of Congress by the other When? Has been the norm since 1969 Why? Split ticket voting Increasing number of Independent voters Executive and Legislative branches elected separately

III.6 - Divided Government Weaknesses Political Gridlock Partisan Bickering Nixon resignation Clinton impeachment Strengths Forces parties to work together Can lead to more effective oversight of Executive Branch

III.7 – Campaign Finance, PACs & 527s 527 groups Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (2002) Buckley v. Valeo (1976) Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010) class actions suits Federal Election Campaign Act (1971) free riders McConnell v. Federal Election Commission (2003) political action committees (PACs) soft money super PACs

III.7 – Campaign Finance, PACs & 527s Is money given to political campaigns a form of free speech? The Supreme Court says it is, and thus any limitations put on one's ability to donate to political candidates are difficult to set. Since the 1970s, campaign finance has played an increasingly important role in determining the success and failure of political candidates. Indeed, many argue that the candidate with the most money has the best chance at winning.

III.9 – The Mass Media blog blogosphere broadcast media horse-race journalism linkage institution mass media medium new media print media public agenda sound bite

III.9 – The Mass Media Questions: What is the role of the media in the American political system? Are the television and mainstream print media biased? How does the media help shape debate on the issues?