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Period: to
Federalists and Jeffersonians
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Jefferson defeats J. Adams
Thomas Jefferson and running mate Aaron Burr ran for president on the Democratic-Republican ticket against John Adams and Thomas Pinckney of the Federalist Party.
Federalist Party -
War of 1812
Some members opposed the war; they moved more toward states' rights. The Democratic-Republicans got credit for ending the war, and that made them popular.
Federalist Party -
Federalism Dies
Rufus King, a Federalist nominee, loses in the presidential election to James Monroe. The Federalist party never nominated another candidate for president.
Federalist Party -
The Election of 1824
The Democratic-Republicans started disagreeing on issues, so the party split with four Democratic-Republicans running for president. None of them were able to get a majority of the vote, so eventually the House voted for John Quincy Adams who later became a member of the Whig Party.
The Election of 1824 -
The Last of The Democratic-Republicans
William H. Crawford ran for president as a Democratic-Republican, and was the last one to do so before the party was torn apart by factionalism, bringing an end to the Era of Good Feelings.
The Election of 1824 -
Period: to
Democrats v. The Whigs
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The Democrat Party
Andrew Jackson's election to the office of president shaped the Democratic party and the powers of the presidency. His presidency marked the rise in popular political participation and the introduction of the spoils system.
"Old Hickory" -
Depression
A severe depression in 1837 during Martin Van Buren's term in office caused many voters to side with the Whig Party in order to survive the depression.
Panic of 1837 -
The Whig Party
The Whig Party was a reaction to the authoritarian policies of Andrew Jackson. William Henry Harrison was the first Whig president but died thirty-two days into his presidency.
The Whig Party -
Election of 1848
Whig Zachary Taylor defeats Democrat Lewis Cass because of votes diverted to third party candidate (Free Soiler) Martin Van Buren.
The Election of 1848 -
The Last of the Whigs
Millard Fillmore took office as president following Zachary Taylor's death. He was not later nominated in his party's primaries even as the incumbent president. The party broke up as a result of conflict over the issue of slavery.
Millard Fillmore -
Period: to
The Republican Era
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Election of 1860
Abraham Lincoln is elected to the presidency as a member of the Republican party and as an opponent of slavery in the states.
Election of 1860 -
The Civil War
Abraham Lincoln led and was the face of the Republican party until the war was over; afterwards, the party didn't really exist in the South because they were still politically split from the North. The 'Solid South' would continue to be Democratic for years after Reconstruction.
The American Civil War -
Panic of 1893
There was a major unexpected depression during Grover Cleveland's presidency that nearly wiped out the Democratic party in the North.
Third Party System -
The Bull Moose Party
Teddy Roosevelt tried to run for president again. Denied the nomination (which went toTaft instead) for the Republican candidacy, T.R. formed his own party, the Progressive Party, a.k.a. the Bull Moose Party. After the Republicans lost to Woodrow Wilson due to the split of the Republican vote, the Republicans became more pro-business.
Progressive Party -
Period: to
The New Deal
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New Deal Coalition
In the midst of the Great Depression shortly after the stock market crash of 1929, the Democrats elect Franklin D. Roosevelt and bring in New Deal policies to deal with the depression. FDR continues to run for office and is elected four times during the Depression, creating a dynasty under the New Deal coalition.
Election of 1932 -
The Great Depression
The policies put in place by FDR began a new era in government welfare, creating a population dependent upon the Democratic Party for support.
The Great Depression -
World War II
Roosevelt and Churchill appointed Gen. Eisenhower to head the allied forces. His popularity and experience as a war hero helped him win the later presidential election.
World War II -
Election of 1952
Republican Eisenhower's election in 1952 temporarily upset the dominance of the Democrats in order to address the Cold War.
Election of 1952 -
Period: to
Southern Realignment
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Election of 1968
This election was a turning point in that it ended the domination of the federal government and presidency by the democrats. Nixon was voted in upon promises to restore "law and order" during a time of assassination and race riots.
Election of 1968 -
Watergate Scandal
Nixon's actions and subsequent resignation from the office of president during his second term would injure the reputation of the Republican party, leading to the election of Democrat Jimmy Carter after Ford finished his term.
Watergate Scandal -
Republican Revolution of 1980
The election of Ronald Reagan during the Iran hostage crisis and a failing economy brought about changes in the government's regulation of the economy, reduced government spending, and lower taxes. His popularity led to Republican domination for the following two presidential elections.
Reaganomics
