Political parties in the united states chapter 5

Section 1 Parties & What they do

What do we have today? Political party - group of people who seek to control gov’t through winning elections & holding public office sometimes with common principles Two main parties: Third Parties:

“One big party” See “One Big Party” handouts/ worksheets from iCivics (Retired Justice Sandra Day O’Connor)

Who makes up Parties Party Organization - they are the leaders, workers, volunteers, donators Party in Gov’t - candidates & officeholders both elected & appointed Party in the Electorate - millions of people who relate, join, and vote to support it

Section 2 Two Party System in American History

Two Party System - US Historical Basis – from our 1st days, US has always had 2 main political parties Tradition – people get “used” to supporting “their” party Electoral System – Single Member Plurality Elections – most elections pick a single officeholder Ideological Consensus – mostly moderate views

US - our 1st parties grew out of Washington’s own Cabinet ironic as he personally was against parties Federalists - Alexander Hamilton (Treasury) wealthy, big business, strong gov’t Democratic-Republicans - Thomas Jefferson (state) farmers, laborers, small gov’t, states

Era of the Democrats 1800-1860 “era of good feeling” - only D-R’s D-R’s became known as just Democrats opposition - Federalists then Whigs essentially grew out of a faction of D-R party won 13 of 15 presidential elections

Era of the Republicans 1860 - 1932 gained control especially during Reconstruction Era From Abraham Lincoln in 1860 until FDR’s victory held White House for all but 16 years 2 “interludes” worthy of note - Cleveland’s split terms & Wilson’s victory with split party Republicans split w/ Progressive Party

Return of Democrats 1932 - 1968 FDR’s four elections started era impact from Great Depression & WWII only exception was Eisenhower’s 2 terms

Era of Divided Gov’t 1968 - present Since Nixon’s election, presidential power has gone back and forth between Republicans and Democrats Control of Congress has also shifted between the two parties on a regular basis Today:

Sec. 3 - Minor Parties some come and go within the span of a few years, while others endure for decades 3 types: Ideological Parties: based on a particular set of political beliefs, will offer full platforms - tend shift more left or right Single-Issue parties: focus on one point, typically short-lived especially if issue is addressed

Types Con’t… 3. Economic Protest Parties: during periods of economic hardship, demands for relief, disappear as economy recovers 4. Splinter Parties - groups that split off the major parties, usually over disagreement on a major issue or Presidential nominee

Minor parties can… Minor parties can have a significant impact on politics even w/o electoral success sometimes even played “spoiler” can force the major parties to address their issues

4 - Party Organization both Rep & Dem have full-time national headquarters, w/ large staffs & multi-million dollar budgets However there is no chain of command from national party thru states to local level decentralized on purpose President is always head of that party otherwise, can have various “leaders”

Party Functions guide candidates through nominating process and then nominees through the campaign w/ $$ from donors, the party organizations help fund candidates’ campaigns provide assistance with advertising, polling influence the political views of candidates at federal, state & local levels

National Party National Convention - has ultimate power; meets every 4 years to nominate presidential candidate also makes party’s rules & platform National Committee - composed of delegates from states - manages affairs between conventions National Chairperson - picked by the just nominated candidate at Nat’l Convention - manages daily work for the party

More... Congressional Campaign Committees - people who work to help incumbents get re-elected & attempt to keep “open seats” in the party separate ones for Senate & House

State Organization State central committee w/ state chairperson usually comprised of members from counties & picked during the primaries functions to further party’s interests, assist w/ campaigns & $$, promote unity

Local Organizations vary greatly!! generally determined by Congressional Districts, state legislative districts further divided into wards & smaller units called precincts cities may also have blocks can be active groups or mostly inactive except for pre-election months