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Federalist Party
Started by Alexander Hamilton, the Federalist Party was comprised mainly of wealthy city businessmen. The beliefs of the Federalist party centered around a sound financial system by the government including a national bank, larger government, becoming trading partners with euopean countries like Britain and France, and tariffs. They also believed in a loose interpretation of the constitution. -
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Democratic Republican Party
The Democratic Republicans were the opposite of the Federalists. In 1788 they were the Anti-Federalists lead by Patrick Henry, but they changed their name to the Democratic Republicans in the election of 1800 and supported Jefferson. They believed in smaller government, agriculteral society, and a strict interpretation of the constitution. They were also expansionists, which is why they gained a lot of support from farmers in the south and the west. -
George Washington
George Washington was the US's first president. He was not tied to any party and believed that political parties would split the nation. -
John Adams
He was the only Federalist president in office. The quasi-war with France and the Alien and Sedition Acts made big government look like it was hurting the USA. This made Hamilton dislike Adams, and began the downfall of the Federalist party. -
Thomas Jefferson
He was known as the People's President. Jefferson's three major accomplishments were the abolishment of the slave trade, the louisianna purchase and the winning of the barbary war overseas. The passing of the Embargo Act of 1807 was not a good decision, but it was later repealed and did not hurt the image of the Democratic Republican Party too bad. -
James Madison
During Madison's Presidency the War of 1812 broke out. The Federalists were mad, becuase they saw Britain as a potential trading partner and not an enem. it became illegal to import slaves the US under Madison's term. Madison vetoed the recahrter of the Bank of the US in 1811, but after the war Madison realized that the nation needed a national bank, and in 1816 he established the Second National Bank of the US. -
Hartford Convention
During the War of 1812, just 9 days before the Treaty of Ghent was signed, several Federalists met to discuss nullifications on many actions taken by the Democratic republicans like the Embargo and 3/5 compromise. After the war was won, the actions of the Federalists seemed unnecessary. Soon after, the Federalists dissolved, and the "Era of Good Feelings" began, a time when America was not as split between political parties, and the Democratic Republicans ran unopposed. -
James Monroe
James Monroe was a Democratic Republican. Monroe's major accomplishments included the Missouri Compromise, the Monroe Doctrine, and the purchase of Florida. The Missouri Compromise helped maintain the balance between slave states and free states. The Monroe Doctrine established the US as the major power in the Americas. The Florida purchase ceded Florida into the union in 1821. Congress supported Monroe's treatment of the Seminole Indians, becuase most members of Congress were expansionist. -
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National Republicans
John Quincy Adams was elected on the Democratic Republican ticket, but his values aligned more with the Federalists. After his presidency, the National Republican Party Was created. This party held many of the ideas of the Federalists, but they failed to re-elect John Quincy Adams, they turned into the Whig Party. -
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Democratic Party
The Democratic Party is similar to the republican party in that it is one of America's major parties that is still around in 2010. The democrats generally draw their support from the lower class and from immigrants. They get a lot of their support from the south and the west. They also would have had the support from factory workers, but the republican factory owners made sure their workers did not vote democratic. The Democrats wanted lower tariffs and lower immigration. -
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The Anti-Masonic Pary
The Anti-Masonic party was a third party that managed to get a lot of national attention. They were strongly against the "secret society" of the Masons and were determined to destroy it. Andrew Jackson was a member of the Masons, which is why in 1828 they fought hard to make sure he did not get into office and they voted for John Quincy Adams. For this reason the Anti Masonic Party is associated with the National Republicans and the Whigs. They drew most of their support from New Englanders. -
Andrew Jackson
Jackson wins the election of 1828 after the Corrupt Bargain in 1825 by Adams and Clay made the public distrust Adams. This election was one filled with personal attacks or mudslinging from both Adams and Jackson. Many people voted for Jackson because the American people wanted reform and a government in which the poor and working class could have their opinions and needs heard. They did not want wealthy and aristocratic Presidents. -
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Whig Party
The Whigs were the successor the the National Republican party. They drew most of their support from the wealthy New Englanders. They believed in everything that the Federalists believed in. They also supported the modernization of American Cities. They dissolved over the issue of slavery, because some whigs were anti slavery, but some were not. -
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Liberty Party
They were one of the first major third party based heavily on the abolition of slavery. They nominated their own president James Birney instead of voting for the whig president, because the whigs were not entirely made up of anti slavery members. They drew most of their support from New Yorkers. -
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American/Know Nothing Party
Ironically after the Anti Masons (a group dedicated to getting rid of a secret societies) helped start the Whigs, a secret society became the next major third party to support the Whigs. Their platform was anti-immigrant and catholic, in response to the large number of Irish and Germans that came to the nation in the 1830s. In 1856 they nominated Millard Fillmore as their presidential candidate, he lost, and the party dissolved soon after. They drew their support from New Englanders. -
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Free Soil Party
This party succeded the Liberty Party. It was made up of a lot of the same people as the Liberty Party, but it added all of the whigs who split from the Whig Party becuase they were anti- slavery.In 1848 they nominated Martin Van Buren, but he did not recieve any electoral votes. In 1954 the party was simply absorbed by the new republican party. -
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Republican Party
It is one of the major american parties that has been around for a long time and are still here in 2010. The Republicans draw a lot of their support from the rich white men of the north and the freed slaves of the south. They also get support from most civil war veterans. They believed in big business and large corporations. The Republicans also wanted to have higher tariffs. -
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Green Back Party
The Green Back party also known as the Idependent party were the first of the progressive parties in America. They saw little succes and only managed to elect 21 people, but they lead the way for more progressives who were more influencial. They were mostly farmers and other progressives who wanted cash money to be distributed. They were also leaning toward socialism and wanted the government to control money distribution. As per the name of the party, they wanted green backs. -
Mugwumps
When James Blaine pursued the Presidential nomination in 1884, many Republicans that wanted reform split from the Republican party. These people were referred to the Mugwumps and voted in a Democratic manner. -
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The Populist Party
The Populist Party primarily based off of the Farmer's Alliance. Most of the supporters were from the South and West. They were usually farmers looking to improve their economic situation by taking action in the government. They primarily wanted the coining of silver and also wanted a graduated income tax. -
Cont
Populists actually recieved. -
Cleveland vs. Harrison vs. Weaver
Cleveland ran as a Democrat and Harrison ran as a Republican. Weaver was a third party candidate and ran on the Populist ballot. Cleveland was elected for a second time and was the first President to win an election after losing one. In office, Cleveland acted more Republican than Democratic because of the ineffectiveness of lowering tariffs. Weaver gained some support from the West and was the First Populist to be placed on a ballot. It also displayed the amount of support the newly founded -
Bryan vs. McKinley
McKinley was the Republican candidate and Bryan was the Democratic, but he was a Populist running on the Democratic ticket. McKinley won this election, and obtained funding by a big business advocate, Mark Hanna. Bryan recieved support from both Democrats and Populist as he ran to primarily lower taxes and coin silver. He gave a famous speech called the Cross of Gold. Bryan lost the support of factory workers however, because many of them were threatened with the loss of their jobs. -
TR becomes President
McKinley dies six months into his second term by the hands of a deranged anarchist. This means that Roosevelt, the Vice President, becomes President and the Republicans are not pleased. Roosevelt is too radical for the Republican party, but he woes over the whole country with his display in the Rough Rider unit and his unmatched charisma. As President, TR issues many reforms to the nation and the country is placed into the Progressive movement/era. -
President Taft
Roosevelt chooses Taft to be the successor to his very successful presidency, Because of the support of the popular Roosevelt, Taft wins the election easily. However, during the presidency of Taft, the Republicans become enraged at his policies to bust trusts and his failed international "Dollar diplomacy" idea. This leads to a split in the Republican party. -
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Natioal Progressive Republican League/Progressive Party
Otherwise known as the Bull Moose Party. This party was formed with Roosevelt leading the way. This party wished to have the government have a more active role in economic and social affairs. They wished to combine trusts and labor unions and have the government increase the power of federal regulation. This party would find support from those who liked TR and also women, more radical Republicans, and reformists. -
Taft vs. Roosevelt vs. Wilson
This election had the President Taft, former President Roosevelt, and Democratic Wilson running against each other. Taft was a more conservative man as Roosevelt and Wilson both wanted to have a stronger federal government, but both had different methods of accomplishment. Wilson wanted less regulation than Roosevelt and small businesses. The people that would vote for Wilson were Democrats and mainly the poor and lower class. With the Republican party split, Wilson won the election easily. -
Wilson's Re-Election
With the relationship between Germany and the US heating up, Wilson runs for a second term. The Republicans choose Charles Evans Hughes to run against Wilson. Wilson's campaign slogan was "He Kept Us Out of War." Hughes however, attempted to appeal to everyone and was also backed by Theodore Roosevelt who made many speeches promoting war and firing up the Republicans for war. On election day, Hughes won the east, but Wilson manaaged to win most of the west, who wanted progressive reform. -
Harding vs Cox
Harding was the Republican candidate. He supported industrialization and laissez-faire. He was a traditional republican and wanted to get back to the old republican ways. Harding won the election by a landslide. During his short term in office, he appointed four justices to the supreme court. Harding had many scandals associated with his presidency.
3 years into his presidency he died, and coolidge took office.
Harding gained support from the North and the West. -
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Democratic Party
During the election of 1932, there was a shift in the support for the democratic party. Roosevelts policies gained them support from the working class in cities as well as the African Americans. -
Coolidge vs La Follette vs Davis
After a year in office, Coolidge needed to run for president. His opponents were La Follette a progressive and Davis a Democrat. Coolidge ran on a similar platform to Harding, though his campaign was a bit more cautios and less conservative than Hardings. La Follette supported workers rights and was supported by the AFL. Davis was wealthy, he was a little conservative for a democrat. -
Hoover vs Smith
Coolidge decided not to run for another term, so the republicans nominated Hoover. Hoover was Coolidge's secretary of commerce. He was not liked by political bosses. He ran on the platform of Republican success with the economy and prohibition. Afred Smith was the governer of New York. He was catholic, which would have made him the first Catholic to hold office. He wanted to end prohibition. Hoover won by a landslide, gaining a lot of support in the west and north. -
Hoover vs Roosevelt
Great depression shocked Americans and Hoover did little to ease its effects. Americans wanted Roosevelt who promised to help the "forgoten man." Roosevelt proposed a new deal to reform the government to fix the economy, that ran on concepts of relief, reform, and recovery. Roosevelt won the election by a landslide. This was when the political parties started to shift in the direction that they are today. Democrats gained support from working class and African Americans. -
Roosevelt vs Landon
Roosevelt won. He was still popular in 1936. Roosevelt continued his new deal policies. Landon, a Republican, questioned the great spending, but most Americans did not mind the spending so long as they had jobs. Roosevelt won in another landslide. -
Roosevelt vs Wilkie
Roosevelt made an unprecedented move by running again and breaking the two term tradition. His policies were mostly the same. His new policy was to try and stay out of the European war.
Wilkie ran on the republican platform. They still tried to convince people that the massive spending was a bad thing, but most people still supported the new deal and Roosevelt. -
Roosevelt vs Dewey
America is in the Europlean war. Roosevelt ran on the platform that he has been doing a great job, and that changing the leader now would be a bad decision.
Dewey was a New York governer. He was somewhat liberal, but kept to most republican policies. He was young, and many thought he was inexperienced. Even though he was a known crimebuster, people did not think he was a good fit for office.
Roosevelt won again, but only months into his presidency he died, and his running mate Truman took over. -
Dewey vs Truman
In this election, the Democrats were hesitant in choosing Truman as the running candidate, however, when this did happen, the Democratic Party split as Truman supoorted civil rights and the Southern Democrats refused to support Truman. The Dixiecrats or Southern Democrats nominated J. Strom Thurmond and Henry Wallace also ran for President under the Pogressive Party. Dewey looked optimistic about the win, but Truman won the election as he gained votes from the South, West, and Midwest states. -
Eisenhower vs. Stevenson
In this election, the Republicans chose General Dwight D. Eisenhower and Richard Nixon would be the Vice President. The Democrats chose Adlai Stevenson, the Gov. of Illinois. Eisenhower was already popular with his war fame and in the election, he won handily as he agreed to end the Korean War. In this election, Eisenhower brought the South to vote Republican, which normally ran Democratic. -
Nixon vs Kennedy
Former Vice President Nixon was nominated by the Republican Party and the Democrats selected Kennedy, a Roman Catholic. This election relied heavily on television and as a result, the more charismatic and better looking Kennedy won the hearts of many Americans. He garnered support from industry, Catholics, and African Americans. This election was very close between Kennedy and Nixon as Kennedy narrowly won. -
Kennedy Killed
Lyndon B Johnson becomes President in 1963 as Kennedy was shot in a motorcade in Dallas. He promised to continue all of Kennedy's programs and ideas as well as introducing his own Great Society programs that created more welfare opportunities. He goes on to win in the election of 1964 against Barry Goldwater. Goldwater was known for his famous "Daisey" advertisement. -
Election of 1968
AFter many hot campaigns to obtain the Democratic ticket, Hubert Humphrey battled out people such as Senators McCarthy and Kennedy. The Republicans swiftly chose Nixon. Nixon was both strong on Vietnam and also moderate so he gained support from both the moderate Republicans and the conservatives. Former Governor of Alabama George Wallace also ran as a third party candidate and promoted segragation of all African Americans. Nixon won the election easily as many disliked LBJ and the Democrats. -
Watergate Scandal
This is the date that the burglers were caught. In the ensuing months, Nixon resigns from President and Ford takes over after being appointed Vice President before Nixon resigns (Nixon's Vice President resigned before in light of the scandal). -
Ford vs Carter
James (Jimmy) Carter ran under the Democratic ticket. Ford was questioned as a President as he had pardoned Nixon and was still tied to the Watergate scandal. Jimmy Carter was a wealthy man and was a peanut farmer. Carter won marginally as he captured most of the South and also retained the African American votes. -
Reagan vs Carter
Reagan was a former actor and Governor of California. Running under the Republican ticket, Reagan promoted a smaller government and a cut in federal spending as the Presidency of Carter was filled with increasing debt and an economic recession. In this election, Reagan won with a significant margin of victory. -
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GOP Party changes
With the election of Reagan, many of the South began voting for the GOP. Reagan was a popular man and his campainging skills were impressive. This sudden change can be attributed to the growing frustration with the Democratic party. Ever since then, the South has been voting Republican for the most part.
