1. Presidents and Precedents The First Parties
American History I
Mr. Hensley
SRMHS

2. Political Parties and Interest Groups
Interest groups are focused on influencing policy, no matter who is in charge (NRA)
Political parties want to make sure their people are the ones in charge
Political parties try to control the government
Interest groups try to control gov’t policy

3. Party Goals
Where there are Congressional districts, a state or a major city – you will find party offices
Parties recruit candidates for office; raise money for their candidates; get their members to vote in elections and promote the interests of their party
New development: the PAC is a blend between party and interest group

4. Finding Good Candidates
Parties need lots of qualified candidates
Must meet any Constitutional requirements for the office
Common sense: a clean record and a record of accomplishments
Must be able to raise money: today - six figures for the House, seven figures for the Senate

5. Where Do They Come From?

6. Parties Handle Nominations
Constitutional requirements must be met but otherwise, the parties themselves set the rules for picking their candidates
Contested positions are settled in a primary election – usually, only members of that party can vote in a primary

7. The Parties in Congress
The party with the most Representatives will pick one of their own to be the Speaker of the House
While the VP presides over the Senate, there will also be a Senate President Pro Tem
Then there are majority leaders
The minority party will chose leaders as well

8. Parties and Committees
Each party gets a proportional number of seats on the various House and Senate committees
The majority party gets to pick Chairs based on seniority
Chairs can effectively kill legislation by tabling it (not letting it out of the committee)

9. The First Party System: 1789 to 1815
Federalists from large cities want a strong federal government and favor a loose interpretation of the Constitution
Democratic-Republicans want the states to have power and take a strict view towards the Constitution

10. Thomas Jefferson
Jefferson feared a strong national government and wanted power left to the states in order to protect liberty:
He saw America as a nation of farmer-citizens & feared rule by the “wealthy elite”
As Sec of State, Jefferson favored close ties with France, especially when the French Revolution began in 1789 5 5

11. Alexander Hamilton
Hamilton thought a strong national government was best for America:
He wanted the U.S. to develop like England (trade & industry)
He created a Financial Plan to grow U.S. industry, pay off national debts, & expand the economy
He took a loose interpretation of the Constitution 4 4

12. Hamilton vs. Jefferson: The Nature of Human Beings
People are motivated by self-interests
Only the “elite” should govern
Powerful national government
Jefferson
The “common” man can make good decisions
Corruption occurs when power is in the hands of the “elite”
Power should remain with state governments

13. Hamilton vs. Jefferson: Political Party & Its Ideas
Federalist
Strong national government & fewer states rights
Economy based on industry
Jefferson
Republican (Democratic-Republican)
Limited national government & more states rights
Economy based on small, independent farmers

14. Hamilton vs. Jefferson: View on the Constitution
Supported the Constitution
Constitution can be “loosely” interpreted with the “necessary & proper” clause
Jefferson
Supported the Constitution because of the Bill of Rights
Constitution should be strictly interpreted
Powers not given to the national gov’t are reserved for state gov’ts

15. Disagreements between Hamilton & Jefferson led to the 1st American political parties