1. Political Parties Chapter 10

2. Being an American Lesson 1
Essential Questions:
How do citizens, both individually and collectively, influence government policy?
It Matters Because:
Political parties are one of the major ways citizens participate in the political process and influence the direction of government.

3. Growth of American Parties
Guiding Question: Why did political parties develop?
Political party- is a group of people with broad, shared interests
Some Americans join a political party to share ideas with others who feel as they do
Voters who want to influence or control decision making in government
They have influence by electing the party’s candidate to public office
Two-party-system- a system of government in which two political parties compete for power

4. The First Parties
The United States Constitution does not mention political parties
By the 1790’s two groups had formed to compete for political parties
People had different ideas about what government should be
How much power should the federal government have?

5. Thomas Jefferson Secretary of State
Wanted to protect people’s rights by limiting the power of the national government
More power for the states
Closer to the people
Jefferson and his supporters started the Democratic-Republican party
This party grew stronger

6. Alexander Hamilton Secretary of Treasury
If the federal government was too weak individuals’ rights would be in danger
Favored a strong national government
Strong central government was needed to have a healthy economy
Hamilton and his supporters started the Federalists party
Soon faded away

7. Today’s Major Parties
By 1824, the Democratic-Republican party was very dominant
4 candidates ran for president in the same party
John Quincy Adams defeated Andrew Jackson
Tensions between the two candidates and their supporters remained
Sectional differences among North, South and West increased the tension
By 1828, the Democratic-Republican party had split

8. Andrew Jackson Supporters- called themselves the Democratic Party
Stressed ties to common people
Same as the Democratic party of today
Opponents- called themselves the National Republicans
Faded away quickly
The Whig party took their place (until 1850s)
Proposed internal improvements such as roads and canals
Avoided the issue of slavery

9. Evolution of American Political Parties
PARTY
DATES OF EXISTENCE
DESCRIPTION
Federalists
1790s-1820
Favored a strong central government
Democratic-Republican
1790s-1828
Formed to oppose Federalists; favored state over national government
National Republican
Split from Democratic-Republicans to oppose Andrew Jackson and work for strong central government
Democratic
1825-Present
Formed from Democratic-Republicans; supported Andrew Jackson; said it supported common people
Whig
Formed from National Republicans and others; favored internal improvements
Republican
1854-Present
Formed from Whigs and other groups; opposed spread of slavery to new territories and favored internal improvements
Evolution of American Political Parties

10. Republican Party
1854 people who opposed slavery joined together to form the Republican party
Abolish slavery in the South
Others didn’t want slavery in the new territories
As the slavery issue became more important, the Whig party dissolved
The republicans dominated national politics for about 75 years after the Civil War
Democrats served as president only 16 of the 75 years
The Great Depression changed the balance to democrats’ favor , 28 of the ne3xt 36 years
Since 1968 Republicans have won 7 times and Democrats on 4 times

11. Third Parties
Guiding Question- What is the importance of third parties in American politics?
Third Party- a political party that challenges the two major parties
There have been many third parties throughout U.S. history
No widespread support from voters
They promoted ideas that were unpopular at first
Popular Party from the 1890s called for Senators to be elected by voters.
Progressive Party of the early 1900s, worked to give voters a more direct role in government

12. Types of Third Parties Single-issue political parties
They promote a particular cause
Prohibition Party (1872)-main purpose was to ban the sale of alcohol
They usually fade away, when the issue looses importance
Parties formed because of ideology, and beliefs about government
Communist Party USA
They believe government should own all resources and business

13. Types of Third Parties (continued)
Other third parties unite around and independent leader with strong personalities
Ross Perot- ran in 1992 as an independent
Founded the Reform party, ran again in 1996
Reform party is very weak now
Third parties have to collect signatures from many voters to appear on the ballot
They have a hard time raising money and compete against the two big parties

14. Other Party Systems Political parties exist in most countries
The role they play differs in every country
Many have multi-party systems
Canada – 3 parties
France – more than 8
Israel –more than 20
Hard for one party to gain control of the government
Parties join forces and work together
Some nations have only a one party system
China- only has the Communist Party
No rival candidates are allowed to run
Election is mainly for show
Not a democratic government

15. Party Differences
Guiding Question –How do American’s major modern political parties differ?
They differ in how much the government should be involved in the economy and in citizens’ lives
Democrats
The federal government should be more involved in regulating the economy
Provide housing, income, education, jobs for the poor
They are stronger in the Northeast and West coast
Republicans
Favor less government regulation of the economy as the best way to promote prosperity
Stronger in the South

16. Things in Common
Both parties try to adopt a moderate (down the middle) views
Appeal to as many voters as possible
Both believe economic growth is the best way to deal with unemployment
Both are national parties
They have candidates throughout the country
Platform- a series of statements expressing a party’s:
Principles, beliefs, and positions on elections issues

17. Political Parties Today Lesson 2
Essential Question:
How do citizens, both individually and collectively influence government policy?
It matters Because:
Understanding how political parties work helps citizens as they follow campaigns and select candidates they wish to support.

18. Organization of Political Parties
Guiding Question: How are political parties organized?
National Organization and Convention
Each party has a National Committee
Representatives from the 50 state party organization who run a political party
Led by a national chairperson
Raise money for presidential election
Organize the party’s national convention

19. Conventions
At the convention the delegates choose the party’s candidates for:
President and Vice President
Delegates are chosen through:
Presidential primary election
Caucus-special meeting
Conventions use to be suspenseful events
Now it’s just a formality
Conventions are good for building party unity
Launches the election campaign
Major parties also have campaign committees for candidates for Congress
Raise money
Give advice and support to candidates

20. State and Local Organizations
The 50 state committees work to elect party candidates to state offices
Governor, state legislator, and others
National offices- Senate, House of Representatives
Local level- thousands of city, town, and county committees
County chairperson has a lot of power

21. Precincts
Each city or county is divided into election districts called precincts.
Precinct- a geographic area that contains a specific number of voters
Could be an entire town or a group of neighborhoods in a large city
Each precinct appoints a captain
Register voters
Organize volunteers
Distribute leaflets

22. Organization of Political Parties
National Chairperson
National Committee
National Convelntion
State Chairperson
Congressional Campaign Committee
Senatorial Campaign Committee
State Committee
Local Chairperson
City, Town, or County Committe
Precint Captain
Precinct Workers

23. Political Machines
Political machines- a strong party organization that can control political appointments and deliver votes
Strong political organizations
Their candidates tend to win election
They tend to be in power too long
Tendency to become corrupt

24. Becoming Involved in a Political Party
You don’t have to join a political party to vote
Parties offer citizens a great way to participate in politics
Political parties try to attract as many members as possible
Members can do volunteer work
Make phone calls, help register voters, help with fund raising

25. Selecting Party Candidates
Guiding Question: how do political parties nominate candidates?
Citizens can run for almost any public office
The major job of political parties is to choose or nominate candidates for office
Direct Primary- an election in which voters choose candidates to represent each political party in a general election

26. Types of Primaries Elections
Two forms of direct primary: closed and open
Closed Primary- an election in which only the declared members of a political party are allowed to vote for that party’s nominees
Open Primary- an election in which voters need not declare their party preference

27. Winning a Primary The winner is the one with a plurality of votes
Plurality- most votes, even if less than 50%
Some states require a majority of votes
Candidate must get more than 50%
If there is no majority, there is a runoff vote (2nd primary)
Runoff between the two candidates with the most votes

28. Officeholder Most offices have only one officeholder
Mayor, district representative
Sometimes more than one type of position is vacant
Several city council members
The party can nominate more than one candidate
Third party nominees have to file a petition
Then they have to collect enough signatures

29. Other Political Party Functions
Guiding Question- What other roles do political parties play?
The main role of political parties is to elect candidates to office.
Support Candidates
Helps win elections, volunteers, raise money, register voter
Communicate with citizens
Speeches, printed materials adds, listen to citizens
Run the government
Congress and state legislatures are organized based on party membership
Support party positions on bills
At every level, appoint people to fill certain position

30. Other Political Party Functions
The main role of political parties is to elect candidates to office.
Link Levels of government
Political parties help officials at different levels of government work together
If they are from the same party, they are likely to work together
Acting as a watchdog
If one party loses power in the election, you keep check on the other party
Make sure they don’t misuse their power
The party out of power is referred to as the opposition party