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Federalist Party (1790s - 1820s)
The Federalist Party was one of the first two political parties in America. They favored the national government over state government. They supported nationalism and industrialization. The Federalist Party controlled the government until 1801. When the Federalist party's' opposition the Democratic-Republican Party overwhelmed them. -
Democratic-Republican Party (1790s - 1820s)
The Democratic-Republican Party opposed the policies of the Federalist Party. The Democratic-Republican parties' main goals were to ensure that the National Government did not become too powerful and that the states got rights and powers. -
National Republican Party (1820s - 1830s)
The National Republican Party also known as the Anti-Jacksonian Party formed when the Democratic-Republican Party split. The National Republican Party supported John Quincy Adams and opposed of Jackson. Hence the name, Anti-Jacksonian Party. However, they were unsuccessful in running against Jackson. So, they joined with other political parties to form the Whig party. -
Democratic Party
The Democratic Party is the oldest active political party in the United States. It was formed around 1828 when the Democratic-Republican Party decided to drop the Republican part of their name. The Democratic Party is one of two main contemporary political parties in the United States. Some of the Democratic Party worldviews were social conservatism and economic liberalism. They have also promoted a social-liberal platform and supported social justice. -
Whig Party (1830s - 1850s)
The Whig Party was formed during the Jacksonian Era; when political parties (such as the National Republican Party) who opposed Jackson joined together. They chose the name Whig because it was often used in opposition to tyrants and they viewed Jackson as a tyrant. The Whig Party supported many different ideals; such as state rights, industrialization, moral reform, etc... Around 1856 the party split, over the issue of slavery. -
Free Soil Party (1840s - 1850s)
The Free Soil Party formed in New York after a state Democratic convention refused a law that would have banned slavery in any territory acquired from Mexico in the Mexican–American War. The Free Soil Party was a short-lived political party in the United States. In 1854 the Free Soil Party joined the Republican party. -
Republican Party
The Republican Party also referred to as the GOP (Grand Old Party), is the other main contemporary political party in the United States. The party is named after republicanism; a major ideology of the American Revolution. The Republican Party was founded in 1854 by other conservative parties that ended. The Republican Party believes in minimal government involvement in citizens' lives. -
National Union Party (1860s)
The National Union Party was a temporary name used by the Republican Party for the national ticket in the 1864 presidential election. The party was formed to promote the national government's influence and oppose the expansion of slavery. -
Prohibition Party
The Prohibition Party advocates temperance and their goal is to ban the production and sale of alcoholic beverages. The party did well in 1919 when the 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution, outlawed the production, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages. However, the party declined greatly after the repeal of Prohibition in 1933. Nonetheless, the Prohibition Party is still active to this day and it is the oldest third party in the United States. -
Socialist Party of America (1900s - 1970s)
The Socialist Party of America formed in 1901 when the three-year-old Social Democratic Party of America and parts of the Socialist Labor Party of America merged together. The party was a democratic socialist and social-democratic political party in the United States. They supported government implemented businesses and the American Federation of Labor. -
Progressive Party
The Progressive Party was formed in 1912 by President Theodore Roosevelt after he lost the presidential nomination of the Republican Party. The Progressive Party was also referred to as the Bull Moose Party. Because Roosevelt often said that he felt "strong as a bull moose." The party supported women's' rights, social welfare programs, etc... The Progressive Party was a third party and during the 1912 election, it won the highest percentage of votes that a third-party has ever received. -
Communist Party USA
The Communist Party USA (CPUSA) formed in 1919, after a split in the Socialist Party of America. The CPUSA and the Socialist Party of America shared many of the same views. Except the Socialist Party of America opposed the Russian Revolution. While the CPUSA did not. The CPUSA support for the Soviet Union divided it from the rest of the left in America. The party is known for opposing racism and racial segregation and it played an important role in the labor movement, from the 1920s - 1940s. -
Black Panther Party (1960s - 1980s)
The Black Panther Party was a revolutionary political organization for Self-Defense. The organization was an anti-racist leftist party that was formed to address police brutality against black Americans. They would watch for signs of police brutality against their fellow citizens and they implemented a variety of social welfare programs in poorer neighborhoods. The Black Panther Party is best known as being a powerful force in the civil rights and Black Power movements. -
Libertarian Party
The Libertarian Party is a party that is based on the idea of individual liberty above all. Even though the party has no electoral power in congress, it is the third-largest party in America today. The Libertarian Party believes in minimal government involvement in citizens' lives and limiting the size and scope of the government. They advocate a capitalist economy and free trade. They're against war, taxes, and regulations on businesses. -
Reform Party USA
The Reform Party USA is a third party formed in 1995. The party is still active to this day and has done very well for a third party. No other third party in America has gotten the number of votes in a single election, on the federal level as the Reform Party has. The Reform Party USA strives to give political power to the people. -
Green Party US
Green Party US is a is a grassroots national party. The party promotes green politics; such as ecology, nonviolence, social justice, gender equality, anti-war and anti-racism. The Green Partys main goals are to help states parties and environmental preservation.
