+ Political Parties and Elections in the U.S. 24/10/14

+ How did political parties begin? Remember The Federalist Papers? Federalists v. Antifederalists Alexander Hamilton v. Thomas Jefferson 1790s Federalists v. Democratic-Republicans 1796 Election John Adams becomes the second president First president elected on a partisan basis

+ How did political parties begin? After 1796 Federalist party decline Could not garner more support Alien and Sedition Acts John Adams opened diplomatic relationship with France Party dead by 1828 Huge legacy Thomas Jefferson Democratic-Republican party Wins in 1800 election Defeats John Adams reelection attempt Wins again in 1804

+ Democratic-Republicans Jefferson ( ) James Madison ( ) James Monroe ( ) After 1825 Split in Democratic-Republicans Into Whig Party Democrats led by Andrew Jackson

+ Andrew Jackson and Jacksonian Democrats President from Led what came to be known as the Democratic party States’ rights Farming Democratic beliefs

+ In Opposition: Whig Party Led by Henry Clay Very diverse party Difference in beliefs But they voted together Supported Banks Education reform Preferred by free blacks Abolitionists

+ The Issue of Slavery (1850s) Argument over slavery caused downfall of Whigs v. Democrats Split in Democrats Northern Democrats oppose slavery Join new party: Republicans Abolition Southern Democrats supported slavery Split in Whig party Southern Whigs joined Democrats Even if they disagreed economically SLAVERY and PRESERVATION OF THE UNION came to dominate politics

+ Abraham Lincoln Elected in 1861 as first Republican president Southern states secede Republican party rules until 1932

+ What are the two political parties? Democratic Party Blue Left Republican Party Red Right

+ Democratic Party Generally considered more liberal Stronger federal government Federally financed social services Protection of civil rights Strong separation of church and state Internationalism and Multilateralism

+ Republican party Generally considered more conservative More power to states Decentralized power Support lower taxes Oppose government regulation of economy More aggressive defensive stance Stronger private structure Less government spending on social services

+ Why has the U.S. always had two parties? Several reasons are possible Winner-Take-All System Officials are elected from single-member district and win position by being the “first-past-the-post” They get the most votes and there isn’t proportional amounts involved You are either “in” or “out” Historical Began with two parties and then continued Two-sides to an issue and shared values Both parties agree on the Constitution Most arguments over an issue with two opposing sides

+ Do third parties exist? Yes Although they aren’t very successful For example H. Ross Perot’s Reform Party 1998 Jesse Ventura becomes governor of MN First third party candidate

+ Functions of Political Parties in U.S. Choose candidates to put up for election Organize campaigns Make is easier for voters “Straight ticket” Party not in power checks other party Inform voters about issues that are important Organize the government Congressional leadership

+ Electoral College Americans technically do not vote directly for the President and Vice President They vote in their state for a group of “electors” Number of electors= representatives + senators 538 total electoral votes Presidential candidate must win an ABSOLUTE majority Plurality of votes= all electoral votes to that party Created as part of federalism!

+ Elections Who can vote? All men and women who are citizens and 18 or older Held every 2 years on the first Tuesday (following first Monday) in November State and local elections normally on same day Sometimes at other times Every 4 years for President Every 2 years for all House members and 1/3 of Senators

+ How many people vote in the US? In 2012 Presidential election, 61.8% of citizens did Why? Voting is voluntary You have to register

+ Primary and General Elections Primary elections Held prior to general elections to decide on a candidate Presidential primary Party nominees are chosen at the party’s national convention Each state has delegates Decide on party platform General elections President, congressperson, etc. are elected