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Political Parties Chapter 10

Political Parties Chapter 10. Being an American Lesson 1. Essential Questions: How do citizens, both individually and collectively, influence government policy? It Matters Because:

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Political Parties Chapter 10

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  1. Political Parties Chapter 10

  2. Being an AmericanLesson 1 • Essential Questions: • How do citizens, both individually and collectively, influence government policy? • It Matters Because: • Political parties are one of the major ways citizens participate in the political process and influence the direction of government.

  3. Growth of American Parties • Guiding Question: Why did political parties develop? • Political party- is a group of people with broad, shared interests • Some Americans join a political party to share ideas with others who feel as they do • Voters who want to influence or control decision making in government • They have influence by electing the party’s candidate to public office • Two-party-system- a system of government in which two political parties compete for power

  4. The First Parties • The United States Constitution does not mention political parties • By the 1790’s two groups had formed to compete for political parties • People had different ideas about what government should be • How much power should the federal government have?

  5. Thomas Jefferson • Secretary of State • Wanted to protect people’s rights by limiting the power of the national government • More power for the states • Closer to the people • Jefferson and his supporters started the Democratic-Republican party • This party grew stronger

  6. Alexander Hamilton • Secretary of Treasury • If the federal government was too weak individuals’ rights would be in danger • Favored a strong national government • Strong central government was needed to have a healthy economy • Hamilton and his supporters started the Federalists party • Soon faded away

  7. Today’s Major Parties • By 1824, the Democratic-Republican party was very dominant • 4 candidates ran for president in the same party • John Quincy Adams defeated Andrew Jackson • Tensions between the two candidates and their supporters remained • Sectional differences among North, South and West increased the tension • By 1828, the Democratic-Republican party had split

  8. Andrew Jackson • Supporters- called themselves the Democratic Party • Stressed ties to common people • Same as the Democratic party of today • Opponents- called themselves the National Republicans • Faded away quickly • The Whig party took their place (until 1850s) • Proposed internal improvements such as roads and canals • Avoided the issue of slavery

  9. Evolution of American Political Parties

  10. Republican Party • 1854 people who opposed slavery joined together to form the Republican party • Abolish slavery in the South • Others didn’t want slavery in the new territories • As the slavery issue became more important, the Whig party dissolved • The republicans dominated national politics for about 75 years after the Civil War • Democrats served as president only 16 of the 75 years • The Great Depression changed the balance to democrats’ favor , 28 of the ne3xt 36 years • Since 1968 Republicans have won 7 times and Democrats on 4 times

  11. Third Parties • Guiding Question- What is the importance of third parties in American politics? • Third Party- a political party that challenges the two major parties • There have been many third parties throughout U.S. history • No widespread support from voters • They promoted ideas that were unpopular at first • Popular Party from the 1890s called for Senators to be elected by voters. • Progressive Party of the early 1900s, worked to give voters a more direct role in government

  12. Types of Third Parties • Single-issue political parties • They promote a particular cause • Prohibition Party (1872)-main purpose was to ban the sale of alcohol • They usually fade away, when the issue looses importance • Parties formed because of ideology, and beliefs about government • Communist Party USA • They believe government should own all resources and business

  13. Types of Third Parties (continued) • Other third parties unite around and independent leader with strong personalities • Ross Perot- ran in 1992 as an independent • Founded the Reform party, ran again in 1996 • Reform party is very weak now • Third parties have to collect signatures from many voters to appear on the ballot • They have a hard time raising money and compete against the two big parties

  14. Other Party Systems • Political parties exist in most countries • The role they play differs in every country • Many have multi-party systems • Canada – 3 parties • France – more than 8 • Israel –more than 20 • Hard for one party to gain control of the government • Parties join forces and work together • Some nations have only a one party system • China- only has the Communist Party • No rival candidates are allowed to run • Election is mainly for show • Not a democratic government

  15. Party Differences • Guiding Question –How do American’s major modern political parties differ? • They differ in how much the government should be involved in the economy and in citizens’ lives • Democrats • The federal government should be more involved in regulating the economy • Provide housing, income, education, jobs for the poor • They are stronger in the Northeast and West coast • Republicans • Favor less government regulation of the economy as the best way to promote prosperity • Stronger in the South

  16. Things in Common • Both parties try to adopt a moderate (down the middle) views • Appeal to as many voters as possible • Both believe economic growth is the best way to deal with unemployment • Both are national parties • They have candidates throughout the country • Platform- a series of statements expressing a party’s: • Principles, beliefs, and positions on elections issues

  17. Political Parties TodayLesson 2 • Essential Question: • How do citizens, both individually and collectively influence government policy? • It matters Because: • Understanding how political parties work helps citizens as they follow campaigns and select candidates they wish to support.

  18. Organization of Political Parties • Guiding Question: How are political parties organized? • National Organization and Convention • Each party has a National Committee • Representatives from the 50 state party organization who run a political party • Led by a national chairperson • Raise money for presidential election • Organize the party’s national convention

  19. Conventions • At the convention the delegates choose the party’s candidates for: • President and Vice President • Delegates are chosen through: • Presidential primary election • Caucus-special meeting • Conventions use to be suspenseful events • Now it’s just a formality • Conventions are good for building party unity • Launches the election campaign • Major parties also have campaign committees for candidates for Congress • Raise money • Give advice and support to candidates

  20. State and Local Organizations • The 50 state committees work to elect party candidates to state offices • Governor, state legislator, and others • National offices- Senate, House of Representatives • Local level- thousands of city, town, and county committees • County chairperson has a lot of power

  21. Precincts • Each city or county is divided into election districts called precincts. • Precinct- a geographic area that contains a specific number of voters • Could be an entire town or a group of neighborhoods in a large city • Each precinct appoints a captain • Register voters • Organize volunteers • Distribute leaflets

  22. Organization of Political Parties

  23. Political Machines • Political machines- a strong party organization that can control political appointments and deliver votes • Strong political organizations • Their candidates tend to win election • They tend to be in power too long • Tendency to become corrupt

  24. Becoming Involved in a Political Party • You don’t have to join a political party to vote • Parties offer citizens a great way to participate in politics • Political parties try to attract as many members as possible • Members can do volunteer work • Make phone calls, help register voters, help with fund raising

  25. Selecting Party Candidates • Guiding Question: how do political parties nominate candidates? • Citizens can run for almost any public office • The major job of political parties is to choose or nominate candidates for office • Direct Primary- an election in which voters choose candidates to represent each political party in a general election

  26. Types of Primaries Elections • Two forms of direct primary: closed and open • Closed Primary-an election in which only the declared members of a political party are allowed to vote for that party’s nominees • Open Primary- an election in which voters need not declare their party preference

  27. Winning a Primary • The winner is the one with a plurality of votes • Plurality- most votes, even if less than 50% • Some states require a majority of votes • Candidate must get more than 50% • If there is no majority, there is a runoff vote (2nd primary) • Runoff between the two candidates with the most votes

  28. Officeholder • Most offices have only one officeholder • Mayor, district representative • Sometimes more than one type of position is vacant • Several city council members • The party can nominate more than one candidate • Third party nominees have to file a petition • Then they have to collect enough signatures

  29. Other Political Party Functions • Guiding Question- What other roles do political parties play? • The main role of political parties is to elect candidates to office. • Support Candidates • Helps win elections, volunteers, raise money, register voter • Communicate with citizens • Speeches, printed materials adds, listen to citizens • Run the government • Congress and state legislatures are organized based on party membership • Support party positions on bills • At every level, appoint people to fill certain position

  30. Other Political Party Functions • The main role of political parties is to elect candidates to office. • Link Levels of government • Political parties help officials at different levels of government work together • If they are from the same party, they are likely to work together • Acting as a watchdog • If one party loses power in the election, you keep check on the other party • Make sure they don’t misuse their power • The party out of power is referred to as the opposition party

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