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Formation of the Democratic Party
Thomas Jefferson created a party called the democratic party in 1792 to oppose the federalist party during the time of the ratification of the Constitutuion. Its aim was to stand for adding a Bill of Rights to the Constitution. -
Democratic Party Officially Named
The Democratic Party was officially named the Democratic-Republican Party in 1798. It was referred to as the, "party of the common man". -
Thomas Jefferson Elected 1st Democratic President
In 1800, Thoman Jefferson was elected as the first Democratic President of the United States. He was President for two terms. James Madison was elected President after him in 1808, and James Monroe in 1816. The year 1800 was the beginning of the Democratic-Republican's party having most of the power and say in American government until the Civil War era. This would be known as The Era of the Democrats (1800-1860). -
Split of Democratic-Republicans
There was a lot of conflict and debtate over the election of John Quicncy Adams as President among the Democratic Republican that they split apart into four different opinions on it -
Andrew Jackson's Rise to National Leadership and Elected President
After the slipt of the Democratic-Republicans, Andrew Jackson rose to leadership, with his own specific party called the Jacksonian Democrats. This party created national conventions for political parties as we know today. The Jacksonian Democrats had their first national convention in 1832 and Jackson was nominated to be President for a second term (He won). -
Martin Van Buren Elected President
During his presidency, Polk fought to relieve the nation from the Panic of 1837, by arguing to place government funds in state banks. He did not want to expand slavery because he believed that it would cause a war with Mexico. -
"Jacksonian Democratic Party" changes name to "Democratic Party"
The Jacksonian Democrats altered their name to just the Democratic Party because it was simpler and helped define the party to have a lasting impact. They wanted to not olnly be led by President Andrew Jackson, but to also have the opportunity to be led by future Democratic Presidents. -
James K. Polk Elected President
During his presidency, James K. Polk expressed support for westward expansion, annexed the Oregon Territory from Great Britain, ceded California and New Mexico from Mexico. He also managed to lower tariffs and creating the Federal Treasury. -
Democratic National Committee Established
The Democratic National Committe's responsibility was to promote the democratic cause between the conventions and to plan for the next national convention. They supported immigrants, which helped the economy grow strong and powerful. -
Douglas Passes Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska Act called for allowing the two new states, Kansas and Nebraska to decide on whether or not to have slavery in their states. This act was passed, mainly by the persuasion of Stephen A. Douglas. He wanted to establish a transontinental railroad route through this act. -
Republican Dominance over Democrats
By the year 1860, almost all of the nation's states were under the control of the Republican party. This led to Republian-dominated presidencies for the years to come. -
William Jennings Bryan Leads Populist Party
William Jennings Bryan led the populist party, which strived to help people struggling below the wealthy. It fought for farmer's rights, women's suffrage, graduated income tax, and the direct election of senators. This movement made the democrats dominant in the smaller city and town politics. -
Woodrow Wilson Elected
Woodrow wilson's election was significant because he was the first Democratic President in the 20th century. During his presidency, he led the country through World War 1, supported the League of Nations, made the Federal Reserve Board, and created some of the first child labor laws. -
Franklin D. Roosevelt Elected President
Roosevelt aimed to help America recover from the Great Depression by letting Americans know that they can get help from the government in times of financial struggle. The New Deal succeeded in giving water to the central valley of California, brought electricity to the Appalachia, and helped farms in the Midwest. Roosevelt also established The Civilian Conservation Corps, the WPA, and Social Security. -
Harry S. Truman Elected President
Harry Truman was the next Democtrat to be elected President. During this time, the Democratic Party began to fight for eqaulity for all races and the genders. He succeeded in integrating the military, putting the Marshall Plan and NATO into effect. Truman helped set the stage for the nation's future civil rights leaders. -
John F. Kennedy Elected President
During john F. Kennedy's time in office, he established the idea of The New Frontier, persuaded America to have a man step on the moon, created the Peace Corps, and negotiated a treaty that wanted to ban the testing of nuclear weapons. -
Lyndon B. Johnson Assumes Presidency
When Lyndon B. Johnson became the President, he aimed to pass the Civil Rights Act as well as the Voting Rights Act. He continued Kennedy's efforts to end racial segregation and promote integration in the nation. He promoted a Great society and created Medicare for the elderly. -
Jimmy Carter Elected President
During his presidency, Jimmy Carter hoped to help the country move on after the Watergate scandal and coordinated the Camp David Peace Accords between Egypt and Isreal. -
Bill Clinton Elected President
During his presidency, Bill Clinton planned to aid America's working middle-class families. He passed the Deficit Reduction Act of 1993. They helped reduce the unemployment rate drastically.
