History of American Political Parties

Transcription

1 History of American Political Parties

2 Political Parties NOT in the Constitution FEDERALIST PAPER #10 ABRIDGED The Same Subject Continued The Union as a Safeguard Against Domestic Faction and Insurrection From the New York Packet. Friday, November 23, [written by James Madison] To the People of the State of New York: AMONG the numerous advantages promised by a well constructed Union, none deserves to be more accurately developed than its tendency to break and control the violence of faction... The instability, injustice, and confusion introduced into the public councils, have, in truth, been the mortal diseases under which popular governments have everywhere perished...

3 By a faction, I understand a number of citizens, whether amounting to a majority or a minority of the whole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion, or of interest, adversed to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community..... The latent causes of faction are thus sown in the nature of man....

4 It is in vain to say that enlightened statesmen will be able to adjust these clashing interests, and render them all subservient to the public good. Enlightened statesmen will not always be at the helm.... The influence of factious leaders may kindle a flame within their particular States, but will be unable to spread a general conflagration through the other States... A rage for paper money, for an abolition of debts, for an equal division of property, or for any other improper or wicked project, will be less apt to pervade the whole body of the Union than a particular member of it

5 1796 Washington's Farewell Address The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty.

6 Political parties developed immediately, however RED BLUE Business Owners Workers

7 First Two-Party System Federalists v. Democratic- Republicans, 1780s MAJOR ISSUE: strength of the national government

8 Democratic-Republicans Emphasized states' rights. "Strict" interpretation of the Constitution. Preference for agriculture and rural life.

9 Democratic- Republicans Strength in South and West. Foreign policy sympathized with French Revolution. Stressed civil liberties and trust in the people

10 Thomas Jefferson born to wealth, champion of the common man I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. Thomas Jefferson

11 Thos. Jefferson on Shay s Rebellion >"I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical. Unsuccessful rebellions, indeed, generally establish the encroachments on the rights of the people which have produced them. An observation of this truth should render honest republican governors so mild in their punishment of rebellions as not to discourage them too much. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of the government."

12 Patrick Henry Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!

13 Federalists Favored strong central government. "Loose" interpretation of the Constitution. Encouragement of commerce and manufacturing.

14 Federalists Strongest in Northeast. Favored close ties with Britain. Emphasized order and stability

15 Alexander Hamilton bastard son of a barmaid in Barbados: champion of the rich In the general course of human nature, A power over a man's subsistence amounts to a power over his will.

16 John Jay diplomat, 1 st Chief Justice Those who own the country ought to govern it.

17 Alexander Hamilton s Financial Plan 1 st Sec y of the Treasury under George Washington "All communities divide themselves into the few and the. many. The first are the rich and the well-born; the other the mass of the people... turbulent and changing, they seldom judge or determine right. Give therefore to the first class a distinct, permanent share in the Government... Nothing but a permanent body can check the imprudence of democracy."

18 Interpretation of the Constitution Elastic clause: The Congress shall have the power To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution Article I section 8 clause 18

19 Loose interpretation of the Elastic clause doing things not delegated to the national government Federalists Creating the first national bank Democratic-Republicans Louisiana Purchase

20 Era of good feelings Second Two-Party System Whigs v. Democrats, Major Issue: Infrastructure (sectionalism)

21 Whigs 1.Wanted to use federal and state government to promote economic growth, especially transportation, protective tariffs and banks 2.Advocated reforms such as temperance and public schools, and prison reform. 3.Favored gradual territorial expansion over time and opposed the Mexican War. 4.Northerners, city dwellers, entrepreneurs

22 DEMOCRATS 1.Opposed banks and corporations as state-legislated economic privilege. 2.Opposed state-legislated reforms and preferred individual freedom of choice, including the right to own slaves. 3. Supported the Mexican War. 4. Southerners and Westerners.

23 Democrats First organized political party, with conventions and bosses who ran the party between elections. Created by Andrew Jackson and Martin van Buren

24 Party Symbols Jackson and his party was called jackass, or donkey because they were so stubborn.

25 Mid-19th Century Political Crisis MAJOR ISSUE: SLAVERY Whigs would not take a clear position on this moral issue. Republicans were Anti-slavery Whigs. Abraham Lincoln was a Whig who became a Republican.

26 AFTER CIVIL WAR, Republicans became the Elephant, which never forgets

27 Copyright The McGraw- Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display. 1-27

28 EARLY 20 TH CENTURY REFORMS government Primaries for nominating candidates Recall Initiative Referendum Direct election of senators

29 Consumers, Labor, Conservation Progressives Republicans Northerners Professionals Anti-immigrant Civil rights Wanted government health care Populists Democrats South and Westerners Farmers For Jim Crow in the South Fundamental Christians

30 Foreign Policy Republicans blamed Democrats for World War I and World War II. Isolationists Defeated the Versailles Treaty as calling for American involvement in the League of Nations.

31 1928 Election

32 GREAT DEPRESSION NEW DEAL Expansion of national government: Relief Social Security Banking Reforms Minimum wage Laws against child labor Wanted government health care

33 Roosevelt REALIGNMENT Republicans Business Farmers Nativists Against reform Anti-communist, but against the Korean War Democrats organized labor, urban voters immigrants African Americans Intellectuals Pro reform Most Southerners Less talk against communism, but more aggressive

34 1948 election

35 Reagan Realignment REPUBLICANS Business Pro War Against Civil rights expansion Traditional family Anti-1960s culture Against national involvement in health care, education DEMOCRATS Environment Civil Rights Human rights in foreign policy Isolationist Inclusive idea of family National Health care, education

36 1992 Election Clinton/Bush Sr.

37 Reagan Realignment Republicans Business owners Many working class Nativists Fundamental Christians Mid West South Democrats Union workers Professionals Immigrants African Americans North East West Coast

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39 Remember, electoral college makes divisions starker