1. Political Parties Are groups of people with broad, shared interests. They join together to help candidates they support with elections. They work to shape the government.

2. Platform Is a series of statements expressing the party’s core beliefs and it’s positions on various issues EXAMPLE OF Tea Party Platform --- 

3. Our 2 Major Parties & Their Positions on Issues Republicans Favor less gov. regulations of economy Share the same thought Best way to promote prosperity… Strong in South Democrats Want government to provide basic needs, housing, jobs, income for people Concerned for welfare of the poor Federal Government more directly involved Northeast states Both Americans Generally agree on many issues, so parties may seem similar and easy to agree with Both adopt some moderate views Both agree in economic growth = more jobs Both our national parties Field candidates in elections

4. Our 2 Major Parties & Their Positions on Issues Republicans Their support is strong in the South Favor less regulation to promote the economy Opposed to Slavery Democrats Strong federal government Strong in Northeast and on the west coast Believe that the government should help provide housing, income, education. Federal government more directly involved. Both Both believe in strong government Both national parties Both believe economic growth = more jobs

5. Our 2 Major Parties & Their Positions on Issues Republicans Opposed to slavery Internal improvements Represented in the South Elephant is their symbol More localized government Democrats Donkey is the symbol and color is blue They believe jobs, income should be supported by government Supported the common person Strong representation in the Northeast Supported the economy Born from democratic- republican party Both Both have symbols Both national parties Both believe that economic growth gives better job opportunities Both involved in government Both adopt moderate views Can vote for either

6. Third Parties Compete for power with our 2 Main Parties Still influence American Politics by…. Promoting Ideas that were unpopular at first! Examples: The Progressive Party & Populist Parties Can be found on pg. 289 in text book

7. Types of Third Parties Single- Issue Parties Promote a particular cause Fade away when issue loses importance Example. Prohibition Party Ideology Based Parties People with certain set of beliefs Example. Communist USA Party Can be found on pg. 289 in text book

8. Types of Third Parties Third Parties that Revolve Around a Leader Often do not last long after the candidate does not get elected Example: Ross Perot Can be found on pg. 289 in text book

9. What does it mean to be an Independent?! An independent voter, often called an unaffiliated voter in the United States, is a voter who does not align him or herself with a political party. An independent is variously defined as a voter who votes for candidates and issues rather than on the basis of a political ideology or partisanship; [1] a voter who does not have long-standing loyalty to, or identification with, a political party; [2][3] a voter who does not usually vote for the same political party from election to election; [4][5] or a voter who self- describes as an independent. [6]United Statesvoterpolitical ideology partisanship [1]political party [2][3]election [4][5] [6]