First Two-Party System Federalists v. Democratic-Republicans, 1780s - 1801

Federalists Republicans 1. Favored strong central government 1. Emphasized states' rights 2. "Loose" interpretation of the 2. "Strict" interpretation of the Constitution Constitution 3. Encouragement of manufacturing 3. Preference for agriculture and rural life 4. Strongest in Northeast 4. Strength in South and West 5. Favored close ties with Britain. 5. Favored ties with France over Britain

Second Two-Party System Democrats v. Whigs, 1836 - 1850

Liberty and Free Soil were small independent parties during this time period.

Democrats Whigs 1. The party of tradition 1. The party of modernization 2. Looked backward to the past. 2. Looked forward to the future. 3. Spoke to the fears of Americans 3. Spoke to the hopes of Americans 4. Opposed state-legislated reforms and 4. Wanted to use federal government to preferred individual freedom of choice. promote economic growth 5. Favored farms and rural independence 5. favored industry and urban growth and and the right to own slaves. paying workers 6. Favored rapid territorial expansion, 6. Favored gradual territorial expansion even if it meant war with Mexico and opposed war with Mexico

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Republican Party begins

1. Formed in 1854 when a coalition of Independent Democrats, Free Soilers, and Conscience Whigs united in opposition to the Kansas-Nebraska Bill.

The Republican Era

1. From 1921 to 1933 both the presidency and congress were dominated by Republicans (Presidents Harding, Coolidge, and Hoover).

The Democrat Era

1. Created a Democratic party coalition that would dominate American politics for many years (1933-1952). (Presidents Roosevelt and Truman)

Dixiecrat Party of 1948: Southern conservative Democrats known as "Dixiecrats." Opposed the civil rights plank in the Democratic platform. Nominated Governor for President.

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Democrats Republicans

1950s : The Democratic Party very early 1950s : Conservative Southern associates itself with the growing civil Democrats, the "Dixiecrats," (a short rights movements and will champion lived independent party) increasingly the Civil Rights Act and the Voting associate themselves with Republican Rights Act. candidates who oppose civil rights legislation.

1960s -70s : The Democratic Party 1960s -70s : Opposition to the War in becomes deeply fragmented. Vietnam and to growing federal social Democrats begin to advocate a range of programs that support minority rights "liberal" social issues including the "converts" to vote extension of civil rights, support for Republican in increasing numbers. "reproductive rights" (i.e. birth control and abortion rights), fair housing legislation, etc.

1980s : Strongly support environmental 1980s : Conservative Christians, legislation, limiting economic Southern whites, affluent ethnic development, halting the production of suburbanites, and young conservatives nuclear weapons and power plants. form a "New Right" that supported Ronald Reagan in 1980 on a "law and Pro-choice movement emerged during order" platform that advocated the 1980s to defend a woman's right to choose whether and when to bear a o stricter laws against crime, child. drugs, and pornography, o opposition to easy-access Affirmative Action, the use of racial abortions, quotas to "balance" the workforce, to o and an increase in defense one degree or another, becomes an issue spending, of political disagreement with o a cut in tax rates. Democrats favoring it and Republicans opposing it.