The document outlines the history of American political parties from the late 18th century to present day. It describes the first two party system between the Federalists and Republicans in the 1780s-1801 over issues of federal power and loose vs strict interpretation of the Constitution. The second two party system emerged in the 1830s-1850s between the Democrats and Whigs over economic issues like banks, tariffs and the role of government. Sectional disputes over slavery led to the breakdown of the two party system and emergence of the modern Republican party in the 1850s-1860s. It then traces the development of the Republican and Democratic parties through eras like the Progressive Era, New Deal, post-WWII, Nixon/Re

1. The History of
American Political
Parties

2. First Two-Party System
Federalists v. Republicans, 1780s - 1801
Federalists – Believed in a strong federal government
- Loose interpretation of The Constitution
- Encouraged commerce and manufacturing
- Emphasized order and stability
Republicans – Believed in state’s rights
- Strict Interpretation of the Constitution
- Encouraged agriculture
- Stressed individual liberties and believed humans could govern
themselves

3. Second Two-Party System
Democrats v. Whigs, 1836 - 1850
Democrats – Party of tradition
- Opposed banks and corporations as state-legislated
economic privilege
- Favored rapid territorial expansion through purchase or war
- Ideology - agrarianism, slavery, and states rights
Whigs – The party of modernization
- Believed Government should promote economic growth
through corporations and banks
- Slow territorial expansion (opposed war)
- Ideology - urbanization, industrialization, and federal rights

4. Mid-19th Century Political Crisis
(1850-1860)
- Disputes over slavery and expansion westward destroyed America’s
2 party system
- 4 different political parties
- Liberty Party
- Free Soil Party
- American Party
- Whigs
Modern-day Republican Party formed in1854

5. Modern Day Republican and
Democratic Parties from (1860-1900)
Republicans – Opposed slavery
- First major figure is Abraham Lincoln
- Ideology – Transportation improvements and protective tariffs
Democrats – Split between Northern and Southern Democrats
- Both believed in a limited federal government and states rights
- Northerners opposed the expansion of slavery westward
-Southerners supported the expansion of slavery

6. Progressive Era Politics (1900-1945)
-Democrat and Republic Presidents support the same ideals
- Hands on capitalist society
- Federal government should provide order and stability
- Pro business, but expanded freedoms for all people (women
get the right to vote, direct election of Senators
- Prohibition
-Roosevelt’s New Deal
- New Democrat Coalition
- Acceptance of more government involvement in the lives of
Americans
- Social Security, public housing, government sponsorship of
research

7. Post World War II Politics (1945-1970)
Democrats – appealed to laborers, immigrants, urban voters, and
intellectuals
- Believed in a larger, more involved federal government
- Supported the Civil Rights Movement
Republicans – Appealed to large and small business owners
- Vowed to be tough on Communism
- Appealed to southerners by opposing Civil Rights legislation

8. Nixon’s New Federalism
Republicans – Continue to appeal to Southerners
- Limited Government and anti-Vietnam War
- Restore state’s rights (New Federalism)
Democrats – Continue to support Civil Rights
- Appeal to women by supporting reproductive rights
- Believed government played a role in fixing a variety of social
issues (poverty, hunger, racism etc…)

9. Reagan and the New Right (1980-
Present)
Republicans – Appealed to Evangelical Christians, affluent
suburbanites, and young conservatives.
- Cut taxes, but increase defense spending
- Stricter laws in regards to drugs and violence
- Free market capitalism
Democrats – Appeal to women, minorities, and intellectuals
- Support environmental legislation
- Pro choice, Pro marriage equality
- Believe in government regulated capitalism
- Believe in social programs (welfare, medicare, etc…