Political Parties

Purpose of Political Parties

Educate people about the issues, nominate candidates, hold primary elections, raise money for campaigns, help legislatures pass laws they favor, write party platforms, and act as watchdog

Purpose of forming a "Third Party"

Influence the big parties

Republicans in Iowa

680,000

Democrats in Iowa

600,000

Independents in Iowa

1.8 million

First two parties in US

Federalist and Anti-Federalist

Name for Anti-Federalist

Democratic-Republican Party

Whig

Protective tariffs, National Bank, Federal Aid, and oppose Andrew Jackson

Free Soil

Abolitionists

American Party

Anti-immigrants, nativism, "Know Nothing" party

Labor

Worker's rights, against Robber Barons

Black Panther

Marxist-Leninist party and Black Power Movement

American Nazi

Socialists

White Patriots

KKK

Traditionalist Workers

Communists

Reform

Term limits and balanced budget

Progressive (Bull Moose)

Opposes strict conservative policies of Taft, created by Roosevelt

Green

Ecology, peace, and social justice

Libertarian

Individual Rights

Why is it hard for third parties to gain traction in the US?

Hard to get on debates and money.

How many political eras in US history?

4