The History of Political Parties in the United States

By Phyllis Naegeli

1
Throughout the history of the United States, there have been two main
political parties. Starting with the Federalists and Anti-Federalists, the parties
have developed over the years to the current system - Democrats and
epublicans. Although the freedom to create new political parties e!ists, no other
party has been able to gain the support they need to develop. These minor parties usually focus
on specific issues and lac" the following to win a national election. The ma#ority of the voters
believe their vote will count only when it is used to select a candidate from one of the two ma#or
parties.

2
$any of the Founding Fathers had a negative view of political parties. Despite their
ob#ections, many of these men found themselves affiliated with a political party during their
careers in government. As parties came into being, one would gain and hold prominence for
many years. %n our history, five ma#or party eras have emerged.

3
From &'() to &*+* the first political parties were formed. During the time when our country
was in its formative years, two opposing factions arose. ,ach was concerned with how the new
government was to be organi-ed. The Federalists believed in a strong central government and
supported the ratification of the .onstitution. Additionally, they supported industriali-ation, a
national ban", and government aid to build roads and canals. The Anti-Federalists - who were
eventually called the Democratic - epublican /arty, held the opposite views. The Anti-
Federalists strongly supported the rights of the states. They were opposed to a national ban" and
favored farming over manufacturing. They were firmly against the government helping to further
industriali-ation by building roads and canals. The Federalists won their cause for the
.onstitution. 0owever, efforts by the Democratic-epublican /arty to influence people to the
Anti-Federalist cause eventually wea"ened the Federalists. 1y &*+2, the party was virtually non-
e!istent.

4
1etween the years of &*+* and &*)3, the Democratic-epublican /arty began to gain
tremendous power. Shortly after Andrew 4ac"son was elected president in &*+*, the party
shortened its name to The Democratic /arty. Their focus became the ordinary citi-en. Their
policies included supporting small businesses, farmers, pioneers, and slave owners. They wor"ed
to strengthen voting rights. %n addition, they were opposed to government assistance to larger
businesses and government tariffs on foreign products. During this time, they established the
current convention system. This too" the power of choosing the party5s candidate from the party
leaders and gave it to party representatives from the states. %n opposition to the Democrats, the
6hig /arty arose. The 6higs opposed slavery and supported tariffs and federal involvement in
building roads and canals, which would help larger businesses to thrive. As this period drew to
its end, slavery became a dividing issue in the 6hig /arty. 1y &*7+, the party had crumbled.
0owever, a new party was on the hori-on. %n opposition to slavery, the epublican /arty was
formed.

5
From &*)3 to &(8+, the epublican /arty was the dominant force in our country. 1eginning
with the election of Abraham 9incoln in &*)3, a epublican ,ra began. The issue of slavery had
divided the 6hig /arty, and now divided the country. For four years, the .ivil 6ar was fought.
During the period of reconstruction, the issues that would guide the epublicans and Democrats
too" shape. Freed slaves and antislavery Democrats supported the epublican /arty. They too"
on the concerns of businesses by wor"ing to build roads and canals. The Democrats5 support
came from southerners and laborers in the north - many of whom had emigrated from other
countries. Toward the end of this era, both the Democratic and epublican parties had gained
tremendous power. ,lected officials became political pawns in the hands of party leaders who
actually controlled government policies. .orruption ensued with practices such as bribery and
stuffing ballot bo!es.

6
The time between &(8+ and &()* saw a rise of the Democratic /arty. 6hen Fran"lin Delano
oosevelt was elected as The :ew Deal /resident, it ended epublican control. oosevelt went
on to serve an unprecedented four terms during a time of great turmoil in our country - The ;reat
Depression. 0is policies brought a rise in government responsibility toward the individual. %n a
time when many people were out of wor" and had no means of supporting themselves or their
families, the government came to their aid. These circumstances helped to change the way both
epublicans and Democrats viewed government involvement in people5s lives. The Democrats
favored government programs to assist people with their everyday lives. The epublicans felt
that government involvement should be limited.

7
Today, we live in an era of divided government. epublicans and Democrats remain fi!ed on
the views they developed during the ;reat Depression. Since &()*, control of the government
has shifted bac" and forth between the two parties without one or the other gaining e!tended
control. The trends of this era seem li"ely to continue for many years.
Third /arties have also been common in America. They are supported by people who disli"e the
policies of both Democrats and epublicans. Some third parties in America today include the
9ibertarian /arty, the ;reen /arty and the newest and most publici-ed party, the Tea /arty.