Party Politics Continued Evolution of the Two-Party System • Federalist Party – First party to appear, created by Alexander Hamilton • Anti-Federalists – Also known as the democratic-republicans – Created by Thomas Jefferson Party Dominancy 1800-1860 Democrats 13 of 15 elections 1860-1932 Republicans 14 of 18 elections 1932-??? Mixed Bag FDR The Minor Parties • Ideological Parties – Based on set of beliefs • Some type of social, economical or political • Socialist, Communist, Libertarian • Single-Issue Parties – Concentrating on a single public policy • Ending slavery, abolishing alcohol • Know Nothing Party, Free Soil Party, Green Party The Minor Parties • Economic Protest Parties – Upset with major parties, demand change • Greenback Party, Whigs, Populist Party • Splinter Parties – Parties that look like a major party but rally around a big name – Teddy Roosevelt’s Progressive party, State’s Rights Party Importance of Minor Parties • Can become a spoiler when the major parties are evenly matched – Bush vs. Gore • They bring important issues to the public’s attention Republicans vs. Democrats Republicans vs. Democrates • Government has grown • Government should be too large and should be wisely used to improve downsized life for all • Public education is • Public education is a high priority and should be priority, but private and fully funded home schools have a role • Civil rights should be • Government should not protected regardless of legislate personal color, gender, or sexual responsibility orientation • Pro Life • Pro Choice Republicans vs. Democrates • Environmental decisions should be balanced against • The environment is fragile economic impact and should be protected • Strong businesses provide good jobs, so businesses • Unions have the right to should be protected strike • The wealthy should not be • The state has a penalized for making good responsibility to assist the choices and making poor, children, and the money elderly • Health care should be • Health care should be available, but it is not a available to everyone right and is best handled by the private sector regardless of income.