1. Party Eras in History

2. Party on, Wayne. Party Eras: Critical Election: Party Realignment:
Majority of voters cling to the party in power.
Voters identifying as Republican during the reign of Republican Presidents
Critical Election:
A “political earthquake” where there fissures occur within a political party. Minority party replaces the majority
The creation of the Tea Party creating issues for Republicans
Party Realignment:
When the majority is replaced by the minority.
Usually caused by a large historical event.

3. Political Eras The First Party System 1796-1824
The Federalists were the first party in the U.S.
Were crushed by the Democratic Republicans
Jackson and Democrats vs. the Whigs
Democratic party is created by Andrew Jackson
The Two Republican Eras
In the 1850s Republicans rose as the antislavery party
Maintained their popularity until Herbert Hoover and the Great Depression

4. Eras Cont. 1932-1964 The New Deal Coalition
Basic elements of the New Deal Coalition (Democratic)
Urban dwellers
Labor unions
Catholics and Jews
Southerners
African Americans
1968-Present Southern Realignment
Emphasis on State rights, military power, and law & order
With only 60% identifying as Dem or Repub. Its hard to tell the divide
Party dealignment: lack of identifying to a party.

5. FRQ #1
The civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s was successful in party due to strong individual leadership. Choose TWO of the following
Earl Warren
Martin Luther King Jr.
Lyndon B. Johnson
A. Describe one specific action through which each individual helped advance civil rights for Black Americans
B. Describe the opposition each person faced while trying to advance civil rights for African Americans

6. FRQ #2
In his role as leader, the President communicates with the public on many occasions.
A. Explain how the President uses the strategy of “going public” to try to achieve his goals.
B. Explain how three of the following might help the President “go public”
The State of the Union Address
Trial balloons
Sound bites
Press Conferences
C. Explain why the President may prefer to use one of the above methods to “go public” more than others.

7. FRQ #2 Answer
A. Going public can lead Congress to act on the President’s agenda
Ex. President going public numerous times on healthcare B.
The SoUA: President communicates his goals for the nation through Congress
Trial Balloons: Can bring ideas to public without a direct connection to the President
Sound Bites: Allow excerpts of a speech to be communicated to get information out quickly
Press Conference: Making a statement directly to the public

8. FRQ #3
The framers of the Constitution established a representative democracy. Political scientists have developed at least three theories of American democracy – pluralism, elitism and hyperpluralism
A. Describe each of these three theories
B. Describe how the average citizen is to play a role in politics according to each theory
C. Choose one of the above theories. For that theory, explain one way in which it would support representative democracy and one way in which it would retard representative democracy.