1. Political Parties

2. Political Party Defined A political party is a group of voters organized to support certain public policies. The aim of a political party is to elect officials who will try to carry out the party's policies. Some of the founding fathers felt that political parties would be a bad idea

3. US Political Parties Two-Party System: Generally only one of the large parties will gain power. Ideological Parties: Based on a set of ideas like social, economic, political issues Single-Issue Parties: Form over one issue Economic Protest Parties: Form as a result of economic crises. Splintering Parties: Formed when factions in a party break away: Bull Moose Party

4. History of Political Parties First Party Federalists: Wanted a stronger central government. Favored by northern industrialists and businessmen Democratic-Republican: Wanted the state and local governments to have more power and the federal government to stay out of people's business. Mostly farmers and artisans

5. Whigs: Developed as a Anti-Andrew Jackson party. Often associated with the rich and business classes. Although many were in favor of moral legislation and anti-slavery Know Nothing Party- Anti-immigrant and anti- Catholic party that wanted to end political issues by advocating “pure” political leaders

6. Civil War Northern Democrat Southern Democrat Republican Constitutional Union Party

7. Republican Party GOP Grand Old Party Was an abolitionist party Lincoln was a republican whose leadership kept the Republicans in power through the late 19 th century and into the early 20 th century

8. Democratic Party Mostly Ex-Confederates Southern Democrats were the pro-slavery forces. States rights supporters. Roosevelt changes the reputation of the democratic party during the Great Depression. Viewed as a party favoring the working man.

9. Thomas Nast created the political cartoons that symbolized the two parties Elephant for Republican and Donkey for Democrat

10. Modern Politics

11. Liberal Moderate (Centrists) Conservative

12. Liberal (Soceity) Expanding the federal government’s role Abortion: Pro Choice Environment: Stricter laws Welfare: More government funding for welfare Healthcare: Government funded Healthcare Gun Control: Stricter laws on gun use and ownership Immigration: Amnesty and immigration reform Taxes: Higher taxes on America’s wealthiest individuals and businesses Gay Rights Pro- LaborUnion

13. Conservative (Individual) Limiting the federal government’s role Abortion: Pro-Life Environment: Favoring business above environmental needs Welfare: Restriction of welfare funds. Healthcare: No government funded healthcare (privatized) Gun control: Looser restrictions on gun ownership and use Immigration: Stricter enforcement of existing immigration laws Taxes: Favoring tax cuts for wealthy and businesses Pro-Business Favors traditional view of marriage

14. Modern Political Parties Republicans: Generally tend to be aligned with a centrists to conservative spectrum Democrats: Generally tend to be aligned with a centrists to liberal spectrum Can however have for example fiscal conservative and liberal moral views

15. Third Parties Independents: Don’t belong to a party Libertarians: Personal freedom (pro choice, pro gay rights, pro- gun rights, pro-drug legalization) and limited government (anti-minimum wage, social security, welfare etc) Green Party: Liberal party with a central focus on environmental issues Third parties can play an important role because they can take votes from the other party.