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Formation of Parties
Federalists (merchants and large planters): John Adams
vs.
Jeffersonian Republicans (artisans and farmers): Thomas Jefferson -
One Party Rule Era
1800-1820 Jeffersonian Republics ruled presidency and congress; by 1816 Federalist Party nearly extinct -
Jeffersonian Republican Party Splits
After election of John Quincy Adams in 1824, organized two party system returns when Jeffersonian Republican party splits in two -
Formation of Democratic Party
Supporters of Andrew Jackson, who beat John Quincy Adams in 1828, founded Democrat Party -
Formation of Whig Party
Supporters of Adams, called National Republicans, took the name Whig Party, a traditional name for British Liberals -
Whig Party Splits
As the issue of slavery brewed in the 1850s, the Whig party became divided between the northern and southern Whigs. -
Northern Whigs Regroup
The Northern Whigs joined the antislavery Democrats and members of a radical antislavery Free Soil Party to form the modern Republican Party -
Populist Movement
Republicans gained a political advantage when the Populist movement gained support via small farmers in the west and south -
Democrats Embrace Populism
William Jennings Bryan became Democratic candidate for President in 1896; Democrat Party embraces populism movement in country -
Realignment
William McKinley, the Republican candidate in 1896 beat out William Jennings Bryan, the Democrat candidate; this large-scale change from a country that supported Democrat ideals to Republican ideals caused a major shift in our nation's politics -
Progessive Party
Republican Party splits; Theodore Roosevelt campaigned on third-party ticket, Progressive Party. This allowed for Democrat candidate, Woodrow Wilson to be elected, along with a Democratic congress -
New Deal Era
The election of Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt marked a major political change in the US. African Americans began to support the Democratic Party during this time as the New Deal programs were applicable to them. -
Evenly Divided Parties
A slow motion realignment occurred after the Vietnam War that left the Democrat and Republican parties in a back and forth battle over majority vote
