The US Two Party System The US Party system has had five distinct periods, with each being

characterized by a struggle between two parties. The first three periods involved the: Federalists and Democratic-Republicans The Democrats and Whigs And the Republicans and Democrats

The two latest periods have been times when support has been shifted between Republicans and Democrats (Periods and realignment) Early Political Parties Parties arose from the actual practice of political life. Leaders of two major viewpoints organized their supporters in groups (political parties) for better pursue of their goals. Federalists Democratic-Republican parties

Federalists and Democratic Republicans Federalists favored ratification of the Constitution while Anti-Federalists opposed it. These were the first interest groups in the USA. The federalists succeeded and in 1789 established new government under George Washington. Disagreement arose among the nations leaders. Alexander Hamilton Secretary of Treasury Thomas Jefferson Secretary of State Jefferson resigned in 1793, and joined with James Madison (former federalist) and some original Anti Federalists who opposed Alex Hamilton and the emerging Federalist Party. Jefferson and his followers included Anti Federalists called Republicans or Democratic- Republicans. They disagreed upon a number of issues: Hamiltons federalist party represented manufacturing and trade interests. (Aid growth of industry by placing a tariff on foreign manufactured products. Provide government support for road and canal construction to invest transportation costs for manufactured goods.)

In contrast Madison, Jefferson, and other Democratic-Republicans regarded farming, not manufacturing, as the backbone of the new nation.

Hamilton organized congressional support for his programs. Opponents in congress led by Jefferson and Madison quickly began similar efforts. Disagreements between the two young parties became very strong in 1797. 1797 Jefferson ran for president against Federalist John Adams and was defeated. In 1800 he ran again and defeated Adams. With that defeat Democratic-Republicans established political domination that would last until 1829. The Democratic-Republican control of the White house struck a tremendous blow to the Federalist Party which basically ceased to exist by 1824. Democrats and Whigs By the 1824 election the Democratic Republicans faced some of their own problems. The Party had split into two factions: Andrew Jackson Henry Clay, John Q Adams, and William H. Crawford

Although Jackson won the most popular votes, Adams was chosen by the House of Representatives as president. A lack of support plagued Adams administration and Jackson remained popular. Four years later, Jackson, leader of the new Democratic Party won elections in 1828. Jacksons win led to a new era of competing party politics. Jackson supported the interests of small-business owners, farmers, pioneers and slaveholders. Opposition to his policies took form in a new party: the Whigs. Whigs desired an active role in government and they supported policies such as protective tariffs and federal improvement programs. The Democratic government at that time thought, the government is best that governs least. They believed an active government would create inequalities by taking actions that favored some people over others. For example, the Democrats attacked what they considered special privileges granted by government to some business interests at the expense of the population as a whole. Government aid to build canals and roads, came out of tax money paid by all, yet supported projects benefiting only business and industry. The Democrats opposed tariffs believing them discriminatory. This Democratic philosophy appealed to immigrants and many people developing in the frontier. Democrats dominated the government until Civil War. 1840s and 1850s

Political unrest Disagreement over tariffs Disagreed over slavery northern vs southerns

After 1852 the Whig Party collapsed a new party that opposed slavery the Republicans arose in 1854. Northern Whigs, anti slavery democrats, joined Republicans. Democrats won in 1856 tension over slavery divisions in party brought an end to Democratic control in 1860 rise of Republicans as dominant power. Republicans vs Democrats First president of Republican Party Abraham Lincoln in 1860 Tensions over North and South erupted in Civil War in 1861. The period of Republican domination lasted until 1932.

Only 2 Democrats elected 1884 Grover Cleveland 1892 1912 Woodrow Wilson 1916 Party Support After the Civil War For many years after the War Support for Republicans and Democrats remained divided. Republicans Former Whigs Newly Freed African Americans Business people who wanted government aid for roads and canals Pioneers cheap government land

Democrats Workers in cities New immigrants Southerners

Parties created enough loyalty to produce higher voting turnouts among eligible voters than any other period in US History. Election of 1896

After the Civil War period of rapid economic growth and change large corporations appearing. Democrats lost in 1896. Republican domination continued. William Jenings Bryan nominated as the Democratic candidate for president. Democrats voice for the poor Republicans were changing as well as paving way for economic prosperity. William McKinley Rep. 1896 The Great Depression Woodrow Wilson two terms Another party realignment which resulted in more than 30 years of Democratic presidents, with the exception of WWII hero, Dwight Eisenhower. Franklin D. Roosevelt and other democrats started building up an electoral base of labor groups southerners, farmers, and city political organizations. Roosevelt sought a c..