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Political Parties and Elections in the U.S.24/10/14
+How did political parties begin?
Remember The Federalist Papers? Federalists v. Antifederalists
Alexander Hamilton v. Thomas Jefferson
1790s Federalists v. Democratic-Republicans
1796 Election John Adams becomes the second president First president elected on a partisan basis
+How did political parties begin?
After 1796 Federalist party decline
Could not garner more support Alien and Sedition Acts John Adams opened diplomatic relationship with France Party dead by 1828
Huge legacy Thomas Jefferson
Democratic-Republican party Wins in 1800 election
Defeats John Adams reelection attempt Wins again in 1804
+Democratic-Republicans
Jefferson (1801-09)
James Madison (1809-1817)
James Monroe (1817-1825)
After 1825 Split in Democratic-Republicans
Into Whig Party Democrats led by Andrew Jackson
+Andrew Jackson and Jacksonian Democrats
President from 1829-1837
Led what came to be known as the Democratic party States’ rights Farming Democratic beliefs
+In Opposition: Whig Party
Led by Henry Clay
Very diverse party Difference in beliefs But they voted together
Supported Banks Education reform Preferred by free blacks
Abolitionists
+The Issue of Slavery (1850s)
Argument over slavery caused downfall of Whigs v. Democrats Split in Democrats
Northern Democrats oppose slavery Join new party: Republicans
Abolition Southern Democrats supported slavery
Split in Whig party Southern Whigs joined Democrats
Even if they disagreed economically
SLAVERY and PRESERVATION OF THE UNION came to dominate politics
+Abraham Lincoln
Elected in 1861 as first Republican president Southern states secede
Republican party rules until 1932
+What are the two political parties?
Democratic PartyBlueLeft
Republican PartyRedRight
+Democratic Party
Generally considered more liberal
Stronger federal government
Federally financed social services
Protection of civil rights
Strong separation of church and state
Internationalism and Multilateralism
+Republican party
Generally considered more conservative
More power to states Decentralized power
Support lower taxes Oppose government regulation of economy
More aggressive defensive stance
Stronger private structure Less government spending on social services
+Why has the U.S. always had two parties?
Several reasons are possible Winner-Take-All System
Officials are elected from single-member district and win position by being the “first-past-the-post” They get the most votes and there isn’t
proportional amounts involved You are either “in” or “out”
Historical Began with two parties and then continued
Two-sides to an issue and shared values Both parties agree on the Constitution Most arguments over an issue with two opposing sides
+Do third parties exist?
Yes Although they aren’t very successful
For example H. Ross Perot’s Reform Party
1998 Jesse Ventura becomes governor of MN
First third party candidate
+Functions of Political Parties in U.S.
Choose candidates to put up for election Organize campaigns Make is easier for voters
“Straight ticket”
Party not in power checks other party
Inform voters about issues that are important
Organize the government Congressional leadership
+Electoral College
Americans technically do not vote directly for the President and Vice President
They vote in their state for a group of “electors” Number of electors= representatives + senators
538 total electoral votes Presidential candidate must win an ABSOLUTE majority
Plurality of votes= all electoral votes to that party
Created as part of federalism!
+Elections
Who can vote? All men and women who are citizens and 18 or older
Held every 2 years on the first Tuesday (following first Monday) in November State and local elections normally on same day
Sometimes at other times Every 4 years for President Every 2 years for all House members and 1/3 of Senators
+How many people vote in the US?
In 2012 Presidential election, 61.8% of citizens did
Why? Voting is voluntary You have to register
+Primary and General Elections
Primary elections Held prior to general elections to decide on a candidate
Presidential primary Party nominees are chosen at the party’s national
convention Each state has delegates Decide on party platform
General elections President, congressperson, etc.
are elected
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