Untitled Flashcards Set

1. What Are Political Parties?

Political parties are groups that influence government policies by electing their members to office.

• The Democratic Party is the oldest political party in the world.

2. The Two-Party System

• The U.S. has a two-party system, meaning only two parties have a realistic chance of winning elections.

• This began in the 1790s with the Federalists (alexander hamilton ) and Jeffersonian Republicans. (thomas jefferson)

3. What Is a Party System?

A party system refers to how parties are organized, their balance of power, and the major issues they focus on.

4. The First Party System (1790s): Federalists vs. Jeffersonian Republicans

• Federalists (New England merchants): Supported tariffs, a national bank, and ties with Britain.

• Jeffersonian Republicans (Southern agricultural interests): Favored free trade and friendship with France.

• The Federalists used the Alien and Sedition Acts against Jeffersonian Republicans.

5. The Second Party System (1830s): Democrats vs. Whigs

• Whigs: Based in the Northeast, represented merchants (like a new version of the Federalists).

• Democrats: Opposed the Whigs.

• The 1840 election campaign was called the “hard cider” campaign because food and drink were used to attract voters.

6. Modern Political Parties: Republicans vs. Democrats

• Republicans: Support lower taxes, less government spending, fewer regulations, and cutting social programs.

• Democrats: Focus on social issues like abortion rights, LGBTQ+ rights, feminism, environmentalism, and other progressive causes.

7. Electoral Realignment (Shifting of Political Power)

There have been five major realignments in U.S. history when political power changed significantly:

1. 1800 – Jeffersonian Republicans defeated the Federalists.

2. 1828 – Jacksonian Democrats took control.

3. 1860 – Lincoln’s Republican Party replaced the Whigs.

4. 1896 – McKinley realigned party power.

5. 1932-1936 – FDR’s Democratic Party took control during the Great Depression.

🔹 Realignments happen when major economic or political crises weaken the old political elite.

8. Divided Government

• Happens when one party controls the presidency, while the other controls one or both Houses of Congress.

9. Third Parties

• Represent interests not covered by Democrats or Republicans.

• The Republican Party is the only third party that successfully became permanent, replacing the Whigs.

10. Party Organization

• Democratic National Committee (DNC) and Republican National Committee (RNC): These groups raise campaign funds and organize elections.

11. Soft Money

• Money given directly to political parties (loophole for unlimited donations).

• Citizens United case ruled that political spending = free speech.

12. Party Identification

• A person’s loyalty to a political party.

13. Group Affiliations and Voting Trends

Different social groups tend to vote in predictable patterns:

14. Majority & Minority Party

• Majority Party: Holds most seats in the House or Senate.

• Minority Party: Holds fewer seats in the House or Senate.