Political Spectrum
1.13.2015 Students will understand
the purpose of political parties
Please get out wherever you take notes for
this class!
Agenda:
1. Hand back Capitalism v Socialism Essays
2. Political Parties Notes
Cap v Soc Essays
● Cannot retake
● BUT at the end of the semester you will
be able to re-do either a reading
assessment or a writing assessment
● Your worst score will be dropped
● What factors influence societies to make
policy decisions?
Political Parties--brainstorm
With your partner, what are the first 5 things you
think of when you hear “political parties”?
Ratification
As you know from the chart in your purple
packet, eventually all 13 states ratified the
Constitution
Bill of Rights added to the
Constitution on December 15, 1791
● The first Congress was the group that
added them
● James Madison was the writer! The AntiFederalists convinced him enough during
the ratification debates
Historical Context
● Madison argued that Constitution would
control “evil” effects of factions (def?)
● Some (Edmund Burke) considered parties
necessary to express open opposition to
gov’t policies
● Most American leaders opposed Burke,
but many agreed that they can “promote
deliberation” and “check excesses in the
majority”
● Delegates had no true experience with an
established party system.
Development of Pol. Parties
Ironically, Madison and Hamilton (who were both a part of
WHAT GROUP?) become opposing leaders of political parties
w/in 10 yrs of ratification
+
vs
Issues that led to party division:
1. Power of National Government
◦ Hamilton – National Gov’t should address any national issue,
mentioned in Constitution or not
◦ Jefferson – Feared vague national powers and “energetic”
use of authority
vs
2. Economic Vision
◦ Hamilton – National bank “necessary,” ex. Collect taxes,
regulate trade
◦ Jefferson – Believed in agrarian society, congress should only
act if absolutely and indispensably necessary
3. Foreign Policy
◦ Jefferson – supported France in Napoleonic wars, helped us
during Rev. W/ Madison helps create Republican party.
◦ Hamilton – supported GB, more trade and cultural connection.
How many people do you think lined up perfectly
with Jefferson or Hamilton? (not everyone)
Party Platforms
● Hamilton and his supporters develop into Federalist
party.
● Jefferson/Madison and their supporters developed
into the Democratic Republican Party.
The Party Platform
● political parties stand for something
● platform—the set of statements describing the
party’s views on all the major issues facing the
nation.
● “platform” because it is the set of beliefs the political
party stands on.
Alien and Sedition Acts
Adams signs acts that gave him power to
deport “dangerous” foreigners and
criminalize “seditious” language
● Some people saw this as taking away
free speech
● Mobilized Republicans for election of
1800. (gave them some momentum)
Our 2nd President
John Adams
Revolution of 1800
First election to feature
candidates from
political parties
● Federalist--Adams,
Hamilton
● RepublicanDemocrats-Jefferson, Burr
Repub. victory symbolized
first transfer of power
through election rather than
heredity / violence
However, the Election of 1800 exposed
problem in Constitution
◦ Jefferson & Burr tie, electors could not
specify which would be president. House
had to decide.
12th Amendment
◦ Vote for Pres. & VP on same ballot
Political Party Growth &
Functions
By 1820s, positive vision of parties
emerged
Van Buren touts parties with clear
principles and offer a clear choice
◦ Parties are “glue” that holds federal
system / checks and balances together.
◦ Helped president work w/ Congress
◦ Bridged great distances between
Washington & people
8th President of the United States
1.14.2015 Students will understand
the purpose of political parties
Please get out your notes!
Talk with partner: What is one
thing you learned yesterday
that you did not know before?
Political Parties Today
Democrats and Republicans have dominated
since 1860s
Purposes of political parties today
◦ Influence Voters
◦ Unite Levels of Government
1. Connect Executive and Legislative branches
2. Connect national, state, & local governments
◦ Creation and promotion of party platforms
◦ Influence Laws and Policy
◦ Create Balance/Stability
◦ Support Candidates (mostly financially)
Initialism
Chinchillas--support candidates
Practice--influence policy
Unicycling--unify levels of gov’t
Before--create balance
Voting--influence voters
Criticisms of 2 dominant
parties
Mutes truly alternative views
|--------------------------------D-----------R---------------------------------|
Minor parties (third parties) generally small, with narrow
interests. Little to no chance of competing nationally.
If single set of interest gains dominant power w/in a party,
threat of majority tyranny.
1.15.2015 Students will understand what political
ideology is. Students will understand the concept of
a political spectrum and where they land on it.
● Please get out your notes!
● THINK: What is one purpose
of a political party?
● If needed, grab a laptop now*
*We are using the internet today,
if you can use your phone to access it, GREAT! If
not, you are the lucky few to use a COW laptop!
Political Ideology--Notes
Def: One’s basic beliefs about power, how society
should work, and the role of government.
● Almost everyone believes that people should
be able to lead good lives, people should feel
safe, etc.
● People believe differently about how the
government should help us do that!
● ^^^This is your ideology!
Political Ideology--Notes
is not black and white...
It falls along a spectrum…
left
Liberal
center
Moderate
right
Conservative
You don’t have to be one or the other….there are various shades
of belief all along the line. A complete range of different opinions.
Think
1. Who can you can think of that identifies
as a liberal?
2. Who can you think of that identifies as a
conservative?
This could be you, a family member, your
friend, a celebrity, the President, ANYONE
YOU CAN THINK OF!
For example, school uniforms
Almost all people would agree that school
should be a safe learning environment for
students
● Some people would argue that school uniforms make school
safe for all student by taking away outer distractions,
potentially limiting bullying about clothes/money/looks
● Others would argue that letting students dress as they please
gives them a safe place to be themselves.
People’s ideas about how to make a safe
learning environment are different--this is
their ideology
1. What is political ideology?
2. What is a spectrum?
Political Ideology--REMEMBER!
Def: One’s basic beliefs about power, political
values, and the role of government.
● Almost everyone believes that people should
be able to lead good lives, people should feel
safe, etc.
● People believe differently about how the
government should help us do that!
● ^^^This is your ideology!
Pew Research Quiz
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www.sumner.wednet.edu
OUR SCHOOLS
Go to my Teacher Web Page
Links
Click on “Political Ideology Quiz”
DO NOT ANSWER ANY OF THE QUESTIONS
Keep hands above/by head until I say “Answer”
I will explain each question before you answer
them
9. Do not react--Reference our Class Constitution!
Political Ideology Quiz
Reflection
● Complete the graphic organizer as a reflection
● If there are words you don’t understand in your results,
look up the definition or ask me
● Fill out thoughtfully and in full sentences
Ideology
Remember our natural rights unit? John Locke?
● Almost everyone in here agreed with him that
we have natural rights to happiness and life, etc.
● But around the room, people have different
political ideologies as to how government should
support that or how people should live happily.
Extended Learning Option
Sometime before next week, try to have a
parent/guardian or adult you trust take
this quiz. Talk to them about their results.
● Is that what they expected to get?
● Are they surprised by the amount of
people that are also in their category?
● Have their political viewpoints changed
throughout their life?