3.6 American Party Systems

Political parties are organized groups of individuals with shared political beliefs and goals

What are political parties?

Political parties seek to influence government policies and gain political power through elections

What do political parties seek to influence?

Political parties provide a platform for like-minded individuals to collectively promote their policies

What do political parties provide a platform for?

Political parties play a crucial role in shaping the democratic process and providing choices for voters 

What do political parties play a crucial role in?

In Federalist Paper #10, James Madison argued that factions are an inherent aspect of human nature and are likely to arise in any democratic society

What does James Madison argue in Federalist Paper #10?

James Madison emphasized that a system of checks and balances may mitigate the dangers posed by factions and prevent the tyranny of the majority

What does James Madison emphasize in Federalist Paper #10?

The First Party System was 1790s-1820s

What year was the First Party System?

The First Party System was dominated by the Federalist Party and the Democratic-Republican Party

Who dominated the First Party System?

Federalists advocated for a strong central government, pro-British foreign policy, and an industrial economy with the First Party System

What did Federalist advocate for with the First Party System?

Democratic Republicans favored limited government power, agrarianism, and a strict interpretation of the Constitution with the First Party System

What did Democratic Republicans favor with the First Party System? 

The Second Party System was 1820s-1850s

What year was the Second Party System?

The Second Party System was dominated by the Democratic Party and the Whig Party

Who dominated the Second Party System?

The Democrats promoted populism, westward expansion, and a more inclusive democracy with the Second Party System

What did the Democrats promote with the Second Party System?

The Whigs promoted economic nationalism, robust tariffs, and a stronger central government with the Second Party System

What did the Whigs promote with the Second Party System?

The Third Party System was 1850s-1890s

What year was the Third Party System?

The Third Party System was dominated by the Republican Party, which emerged as a major political force

Who dominated the Third Party System?

The key issues with the Third Party System was the expansion of slavery, the Civil War, and Reconstruction

What were the key issues with the Third Party System?

The Republicans advocated for abolitionism, industrialization, and federal government with the Third Party System

What did the Republicans advocate for with the Third Party System?

The Fourth Party System was 1890s-1930s

What year was the Fourth Party System?

The Fourth Party System was characterized by the realignment of political parties and the rise of progressivism

What was the Fourth Party System characterized by?

The Fourth Party System was dominated by the Republican and Democratic Party

Who dominated the Fourth Party System?

The key issues with the Fourth Party System were economic reforms, labor rights, and regulation of big business

What were the key issues with the Fourth Party System?

The progressive movements for the Fourth Party System was women’s suffrage and the temperance movement, which gained traction during this era

What were the progressive movements for the Fourth Party System?

The Fifth Party System was 1930s-1960s

What year was the Fifth Party System?

The Fifth Party System was dominated by the Democratic Party under President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal coalition

Who dominated the Fifth Party System?

The key issues with the Fifth Party System was economic recovery from the Great Depression, social welfare programs, and civil rights

What were the key issues with the Fifth Party System?

The New Deal coalition brought together labor unions, minority groups, and urban liberals to support Democratic policies

What did the New Deal do for the Fifth Party System?

Social Security and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 were two major accomplishments for the Fifth Party System

What are two major accomplishments involved with the Fifth Party System?

The Sixth Party System was 1960s-Present and it defines the modern US political landscape

What year was the Sixth Party System and what does this define?

The three key features were:

1. Increased political polarization and fragmentation

2. Democratic and Republican dominance, but with the rising third party and independent influence

3. Focus on social issues like abortion rights, LGBTQ+ rights, immigration and healthcare

What were the three key features involved with the Sixth Party System?

The Sixth Party System has been marked by intense partisanship, ideological divisions, and the growing role of interest groups and grassroots movements

What is the Sixth Party System marked by?