Political Parties in United States History

Hamiltonian Federalist (1800-1816)

Strong central Govt/ Govt elasticity via loose interpretation of the constitution/ encourage commerce and manufacturing/ close ties to Britain/ Order and Stability

Jeffersonian Republicans (1800- 1816)

States rights and limited govt/ strict interpretation of the constitution/ agricultural based economy based on the yeoman farmer ideal/ favored the french/ civil liberties and trust in the common people

Era of One party- Democratic Republicans and Factions (Post 1800s)

Federalist party- declined after 1800 and disappeared by 1816. Democratic Republicans were the sole major party but had powerful internal factions

Henry Clay Faction of the D.R

Advocated for the "American System."/ National Bank, tariffs, and infrastructure projects funded by bank and tariff revenues/ Clay's influence in Congress helped promote these ideas.

Andrew Jackson Faction of the D.R

Opposed the National Bank and ensured its charter was not renewed/ Disliked tariffs but also opposed states challenging federal power (Nullification Crisis with South Carolina)/ Against federal spending on infrastructure/ Disliked Clay and Calhoun.

John C. Calhoun of the D.R

Prominent Southern Senator and Vice President. Pro slavery; argued that it was a positive good. Against tariffs and federal spending on infrastructure.

The Second Two-Party System: Democrats Vs Whigs (1850s)

Jackson era and his opposition to Clays American System led to its emergence.

Whigs

Supported Clays American System. Advocated for federal and state governments promoting business and subsidizing infrastructure. Favored reestablish a national bank. Wanted to see free or wage labor increase instead of slavery. Supported Reform movements from the second great awakening

Conscience Whigs

opposed the Mexican-American War and slavery.

Democrats presidents and successors

Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren, James K Polk

Turbulent 1850s and the rise of new parties

Whig party faded away and democrats became the regional party that was based on the south as several minor parties emerged.

Free Soil Party

Opposed the expansion of slavery into new territories/ soon the influential faction for the Republican Party

Know-Nothings

Nativist strongly against immigration- worried that they would destroy America- was also increasing due to failed European revolutions and the Irish Potato famine.

Republicans

Made up of Free-Soilers, conscience whigs, and some Know-Nothings. Advocated for free labor though they opposed the extension of slavery into new territories

Election of 1860/ Democrats Nominated who?

Stephen Douglass-advocated for popular sovereignty

Election of 1860/ Southern Democrats nominated who?

John C. Breckenridge advocating for the protection of slavery

Election of 1860/ Constitutional Union Party nominated who?

John Bell with vague platform and following of the Constitution.

Who Won?

Lincoln won the election despite not even being on the ballot of 10 Southern States.

Effects of the election

Though even with the use of all federal power within the southern States, the election towards Abraham Lincoln ultiamtely caused the secession and Civil war; They saw Abraham Lincoln as a threat in their way of their life

Civil War and Reconstruction Era

Republicans controlled Congress during and after the war though they were split between moderates and radicals.

Key Legislation.

Homestead Act, subsidies for the Transcontinental Railroad, National Banking Act, 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, Civil Rights Acts, and Freedmen's Bureau.

What ended Reconstruction?

Compromise of 1877

Gilded Age

Era of corruption and close elections between Republicans and democrats though there was little difference between two parties.

Republicans and Democrats during Gilded age

Both were against workers Union and made few attempts to regulate corporate. Supported subsidies for railroads and settlement of the west. Supported the gold standard.

What two policies had limited immediate impact towards fighting monopolies?

Sherman Antitrust Act and the Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914

Populist party. What year?

1890s

Populist Party made up of? and frustrations?

Granger and farmers alliance movement and frustrated with the government laissez-faire attitude

Goals of the populist party

reduction of tariffs, a graduated income tax, public ownership of railroads, direct election of senators, and an end to the gold standard.

Progressive Era. What year?

1900-1920s

Presidents during the Progressive Era

Teddy Roosevelt, Taft, and Woodrow Wilson

Progressive Era

Reversed the Gilded age of laissez-faire stance/ progressives from both parties viewed government as a key player in creating an orderly and stable society.

How did they see regulating business during the progressive era?

reinvigorating capitalism.

amendments passed during progressive era.

16th. 17th. 18th. 19th.

16th, 17th, 18th, 19th amendments

income tax, direct election of senators, prohibition, and women's right to vote.

Competing progressive visions?

Teddy Roosevelt's New Nationalism and Woodrow Wilson's New Freedom.

presidents during the 1920s Return to Conservatism

Harding, Coolidge, and Hoover.

The 1920s: Return to Conservatism

Reversed the course of the Progressive Era and return to business-friendly policies and laissez-faire capitalism. Although there was cultural tensions: anti-immigrant fervor and difficulties with prohibition.

Great depression and the new deal

Progressive Democrats swept back into power that led by FDR. Expansion of government power though republicans had little political power on the national level.

New Deal:

legislation and programs to provide relief, reform the economy, and aid recovery.

Major figures during the Post-World War II Era: Realignment

Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson.

Democrats Post WWII

They continued supporting New Deal reforms with President Johnson's Great Society programs increasing the welfare state. Also aligned with the Civil Rights Movement (Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965).

Civil Rights Movement

(Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965)

Republicans Post WWII

Moderates and Conservatives and Migration of Southern Democrats (Dixiecrats) to the Republican Party.

Moderates

(Eisenhower): Didn't dismantle New Deal reforms but wanted a more business-friendly government.

Conservatives

(Goldwater): Wanted a reduction in government size and taxes, and a return of power to the states.

Democrats During the 1970s and beyond

Became fragmented after 1968 as they took a permanent liberal turn on social issues, with Jimmy Carter serving one term as president.

Republicans During the 1970s and beyond

Richard Nixon carved out a spot between moderates and conservatives. Appealed to the "silent majority." Ronald Reagan emerged as a rising star of the conservative wing.

Democrats during Period Nine and Beyond

Shifted to the middle of the political spectrum. President Clinton worked with Republicans. Became more opposed to Republican President Bush and the Iraq War. Pushed for a more active progressive government. President Obama attempted to push a progressive agenda.

Republicans during period nine and above.

Found success with Reagan's coalition (social conservatives, economic conservatives, and neoconservatives). Focused on the culture wars. Organized the Tea Party protest against Obama's reforms.