Evolution of Party
Founders – First Party 1796-1815
• Federalists v. Jeffersonian Republicans
• Hamilton v. Jefferson
• Federal Power – “General Welfare”, Elastic
Clause, First Bank
• More like a “loose” caucus of political
notables.
• Party was heterogeneous
One Party System 186-1824
• Republican success is the demise of the
Federalists
• Era of Good feelings
• A Party free period due to one party
dominance of Republicans
• People vote for personalities not parties
Jacksonians - One Party Factionalism
1824-1832
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Second party system emerged
National Factions formed;Jackson=Democrat
Surge in voter participation
Focus on the common man - universal white male
suffrage
Congressional Caucus replaced with Party
Large conventions held
Local control over the nominating process
Perfection of the Spoils System
Slavery becomes divisive
The Civil War and Sectionalism
• The Whigs, who opposed Jackson had differing views about slavery within
the party and split.
• New parties emerged:
– Republicans supported the union, anti slavery, pro industrialization
– Democrats supported the confederacy and opposed the war
• William Jennings Bryan’s presidential candidacy solidified this division of
north and south.
• States became one party states.
• Progressives began as republicans, but they did not support being either
red or blue.
• As the difference between the Democrats and Republicans started to
emerge, The Progressives could not take a middle stance on certain
situations. States became so defined on which party you were, that the
middle ground was almost obsolete.
The Era of Reform 1896-1932
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Progressive Era
Republicans in charge
TR, Wilson, La Follette, Hiram Johnson
Eliminate political corruption – Civil Service
Eliminate Power of Political Parties
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Primaries
Nominating conventions
17th Amendment
Initiative, referendum, recall
5th Party System 1932-??
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Economic Collapse – Great Depression
FDR in Charge
Democrats in charge
Economic realignment
Southern, Workers, Minorities, Urban
Critical Re-alignments
Sharp lasting re-alignment of Party
New Coalitions and factions formed
Major party badly defeated or Voters shift
support
1860 slavery, 1896 economics, 1932 Depression
Party Decline
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Split ticket
Straight ticket
Office-ballot bloc
Party-column ballot
Went from straight ticket to split ticket
From Party column to Office ballot