1. Development of American Political Parties
The Two-Party System Civics 11:1
Civics by George Cassutto © 2004 published by Teaching Point as part of the Expert Systems for Teachers SeriesTM

2. Please throw your gum in the garbage before class begins.
Bell Activity
Take out your “Civics” paper and turn it in. The organizers for the three branches of government are due tomorrow.
Your word is “democratic”. (Hint: Democrat, the political party, will not work!)
Find the word on your blue study guide and complete the following information for the word.
Find the definition using a glossary.
Use your own knowledge and experience to complete the rest of the definition.
Where should your backpack be?

3. Please throw your gum in the garbage before class begins.
Bell Activity
Your word is “democratic”. (Hint: Democrat, the political party, will not work!)
Find the word on your blue study guide and complete the following information for the word.
Find the definition using a glossary.
Use your own knowledge and experience to complete the rest of the definition.
Where should your backpack be?

4. Does your work look something like this?
Word: democratic
My Understanding:
Definition:
Draw a picture of it:
Sentence:
Synonym/ Example:
Antonym/Non-Example:

5. Does your work look something like this?
Word: democratic
My Understanding:
Definition: of or for the people;
Draw a picture of it:
Especially rule by the majority
Sentence: Our country’s government
is a democratic republic, meaning we
elect people to represent us in government.
Synonym/ Example: Ancient Greece, U.S.A.
Antonym/Non-Example: autocratic

6. On the founding of the United States: "It wasn’t going to be on autopilot. It required direct citizen participation. And I think there were many at the time who thought that it was an experiment that couldn’t succeed. That self-rule was very unlikely in a society as diverse as what was happening in this country, with people coming from various places in the world and, as it turned out, a very geographically large country to be in. So there were lots of doubts about how it would work. It was clear I think very early in the United States that it was necessary to have some form of getting our citizens informed about the structure of government, and how citizens could participate and be part of it. That was essential."
--Justice Sandra Day O'Connor (ret.) United States Supreme Court in interview with David Freudberg
America's founders recognized that that without a king, the fledgling nation would need an informed citizenry -- or their bold experiment in democracy would fail. So in early America the government subsidized newspapers, established the postal system to facilitate information flow and drew up plans for public education. But now in the digital age, does the demise of newspapers threaten citizens' access to quality journalistic information? Does remarkably low civic knowledge by average Americans weaken the fabric of democracy?
Today we will learn…
History Objective – We will describe the origins of political parties, and why they are a part of American government.
Behavior Objective – Courtesy and Respect: Students will participate respectfully, and not make rude comments about politics, politicians, or the current candidates.
Language Objective – We will listen to the presentation, and discuss the topic with your groups. 6

7. What Is a Political Party?
A political party is a group of citizens who agree on major issues (problems, challenges) facing the nation. These groups work to create public policies that reflect their views and influence government to implement their policies.
Parties choose, or nominate, people they want to elect to public office. These candidates campaign to get elected.

8. How do people choose what Political Party to join?
People who join political parties typically do so because the party represents many of their personal beliefs about how the government of the United States should be run.
Let’s pretend to make two political parties based on our pop culture preferences.
Vote with your feet! Move to the part of the classroom that best represents what you like more.

9. Make a choice… Who do you prefer?
Move to the side of the room that you like better.
If you like both, choose the one you like better.
If you dislike both, choose the one you dislike least.

10. Make a choice… Now what do you prefer?
Move to the side of the room that you now like better. Yes, you still need to consider the previous choice.
If you like both, choose the one you like better.
If you dislike both, choose the one you dislike least.

11. Make a choice… Now what do you prefer?
Move to the side of the room that you now like better. Yes, you still need to consider the previous choice.
If you like both, choose the one you like better.
If you dislike both, choose the one you dislike least.

12. Make a choice… Now what do you prefer?
Move to the side of the room that you now like better. Yes, you still need to consider the previous choice.
If you like both, choose the one you like better.
If you dislike both, choose the one you dislike least.

13. Make a choice… Now what do you prefer?
Move to the side of the room that you now like better. Yes, you still need to consider the previous choice.
If you like both, choose the one you like better.
If you dislike both, choose the one you dislike least.

14. Make a choice…
Is anyone 100% happy with all of the choices of their party?
Do some people feel like neither party represents them, and their likes?
How does this relate to real political parties?

15. Parties in the US
Any American citizen may join a political party regardless of age, but most members are eighteen or older.
The United States has a two-party system, not because we have to, but because it has been traditional in almost every political election in US history.
The Republicans emerged as a major party in 1860 with the election of Abraham Lincoln. The Democratic Party formed under Andrew Jackson thirty years earlier.

16. Hamilton vs. Jefferson
Political parties first emerged when followers of Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson disagreed over major issues on the Constitution and government.
Jefferson’s group took the name Democratic-Republicans. Due to experience with Britain, they feared a powerful central government. They wanted the states to hold greater power.
Hamilton championed a strong national government with a powerful chief executive. His followers called themselves Federalists, after those who supported the Constitution.

17. Jacksonian Democracy Reigns
In 1828, the farmers and small business owners who made up Jefferson’s party, calling themselves the Democratic Party, nominated Andrew Jackson. He stood for the common citizen, but looked out for southern and western interests.
Those who did not support Jackson formed their own party called Whigs, after a Scottish political leader.
Their real name was the National Republican Party.
The Whigs and Democrats made up the two key parties in American politics for two decades.

18. The Two Major Parties Emerge
In 1854 Whigs, former Free Soil Party members, and ex-Democrats formed the Republican Party to oppose the spread of slavery in US territories.
The Whigs faded from American politics leaving the Democrats and Republicans in a two-party system that has dominated American politics ever since.

19. Ralph Nader, Green Party Candidate, 2000
Third Parties
Any party other than the two major parties can be called a “Third party.”
No third party has ever gained control of the White House. Sometimes, third parties win seats in Congress or gain office in lower levels of government.
When these smaller groups challenge the two major parties, they can change the outcome of elections.
Their most important role is to influence policy on one or more issues.
Ralph Nader, Green Party Candidate, 2000

20. Third Parties at the Turn of the Century
In the late 1800s, the People’s Party, or “Populists” became popular.
They had the support of farmers and workers who called for better working conditions.
They never succeeded in getting a national candidate into office, many of their ideas on workers’ rights became laws in the 20th Century.

21. The Republicans Split
Former Republican President Theodore Roosevelt left the Republican Party and was nominated by the Progressive Party.
It was nicknamed the “Bull Moose Party” because TR said he was “fit as a Bull Moose”.
TR split the 1912 Republican vote, allowing Democrat Woodrow Wilson to defeat President William H. Taft.

22. Cult of Personality
Some third parties form from the efforts of famous people.
If they cannot gain support from one of the major parties, they form their own.
H. Ross Perot’s Reform Party was a force in the 1992 and 1996 elections. This party also placed pro wrestler Jesse Ventura in the governor’s mansion in Minnesota for a time.
These parties usually fade after their candidate is defeated.

23. Ideological Third Parties
An ideology is a collection of ideas put forth by a person or group.
Minor third parties are often formed to support a specific issue. These rise and fall over time.
Ideological parties want to change society in major ways.
The Socialist and Communist Parties want to nationalize major industries. The Green Party calls for companies to respect the environment.

24. The Odds Are Against Them
It is difficult for third parties candidates to raise enough money to compete with the major parties.
Only one candidate can win in a given district. Usually the winner is either Democratic or Republican.
Third-party candidates must show they have support by getting voter signatures to even be placed on the ballot for national office.

25. American Politics Today
Democrats usually feel that the federal government has a responsibility to help the poor through government intervention.
Democrats are generally seen as liberal.
Republicans hold the view that leaving the government should have a small impact on people’s lives, giving people the responsibility to help themselves.
Republicans are generally viewed as being conservative.

26. Parties Move Towards The Center
A platform is a statement that puts forth the party's positions on issues.
Each individual issue (economy, immigration, etc.) is called a plank.
Both parties want votes. As a result, parties tend to become more moderate in their platforms, moving away from extreme positions.
The American people generally agree about many issues. This unity usually forces the two parties toward the center of the political spectrum.

27. Party Systems in other Countries
Most democracies have multi-party systems.
One party rarely wins the number of seats in the Parliament needed to control the government. This instability forces several parties to cooperate in running the government. When parties work together to pass laws, a coalition has been formed.
If a small party pulls its support, the government can collapse and new elections must be held. This process occurs in nations with a parliamentary system of government.
The US has a presidential system and a Congress rather than a prime minister and a parliament.

28. Following The Party Line
A one-party system cannot exist in a democracy. There is no choice of candidates in the elections.
Opposition parties are usually banned.
Communist China, Cuba, and North Korea operate under one-party systems. One-party systems can also be based on other ideologies such as religion.
Iran's Islamic Republican Party has established a Muslim state.
This type of religion-based government is called a theocracy.
Communist Party Congress, China
In a one-party system, the government and party are synonymous.

29. Political Parties & Elections
Tomorrow we will be holding mock elections. Work with your friends in class to come up with a Political Party.
To make a Political Party you need to have:
Lots of ideas about how to realistically improve class. (You can promise that your party will get rid of homework, but it isn’t going to happen. Think of things you can actually make happen.)
A Party Platform, or a list of things your party believes in, and how they can become new laws.
Reasons why voters should support your party instead of another party.

30. Issues
Come up with a list of 5-10 things your party would like to do to improve our class.
Have someone in the group be the scribe/writer.
Write your ideas on a new blank piece of paper (1 paper per political party)
Have everyone in your party sign their names on the paper. (You can change parties later, if you decide your group isn’t representing you. You can also vote against your party if you like another candidate better.)
Brainstorm ideas for your political platform. What does your party want to change about our class.
(How a bill becomes a law)
(Preamble)

31. The Caucus (3 min.)
Choose the person in your party that you think has the best chance of being elected governor.
Then choose the person who know the rules of the school the best to be your candidate for attorney general.
Then list 4-6 people who want to be Senators and 8-10 who want to be members of the House of Representatives.
Fill out a ballot and send someone to report who these people are to Ms. Thatcher.
(How a bill becomes a law)
(Preamble)

32. Campaign Poster (10 min.)
Create a name for your party (one word, simple, easy to say and remember).
Choose a mascot (animal symbol) that represents your strengths.
Make a poster explaining why others should vote for your candidate.
Candidates for governor should use this time to write a short speech explaining why their party should be elected to office.

33. Speeches (3-5 min.)
Each candidate for governor will give a one minute speech to convince the rest of the students to vote for them and their political party.
Then the class will vote for officers.
The winners will be announced tomorrow.
Note: All students will have a job to do in the Mock Congress whether they are elected or not.

34. Ticket Out the Door Why do we have political parties?
What are some of the benefits of being a part of a political party?
What are some of the benefits and problems of a two party system, like we have in the USA?
In a one-party system, the government and party are synonymous.

36. Voting for a President
In a one-party system, the government and party are synonymous.
Tomorrow, eligible voters from across the U.S. will be going to the polls to cast a vote for president.
We will look at how our country chooses its next leader in a strange, often misunderstood way that goes back to the framers of national government. It is called the Electoral College.