7 Gr SS Ch. 8, Les 1 Political Parties

Question 1

A group of people with broad shared interests that join together to help a candidate win elections is called a ____ _____.

Answer 1

Political party

Question 2

The United States is said to have a ____ party system. (How many)

Answer 2

Two

Question 3

Why did political parties form?

Answer 3

• To help the candidates they support win elections

- To work to shape government policy

Question 4

1. What are the names of the first two political parties?
2. Who were each led by?
3. What were their major beliefs?

Answer 4

Federalists: Hamilton: strong federal government

Democratic Republican: Jefferson: Strong state government

Question 5

This party, established in 1825, split from the Democratic Republicans to OPPOSE Andrew Jackson and said it worked for a strong central government.

Answer 5

National Repuplicans

Question 6

This party, established in 1825, split from the Democratic Republicans to SUPPORT Andrew Jackson and said it supported the common people.

Answer 6

Democratic

Question 7

This political party formed in 1834, from the National Republicans and favored internal improvements

Answer 7

Whig party

Question 8

This political party formed in 1854 from Whigs and other groups, opposed slavery to new territories, and favored internal improvements.

Answer 8

Republican Party

Question 9

What are the names of the two political parties that exist today?

Answer 9

Republican and Democratic

Question 10

In the two party system, these groups differ in their ideas of how much government should be involved in our economy. Explain what the two parties believe regarding government involvement.

Answer 10

Democrats: gov’t should be more directly involved in regulating the economy and in providing housing, income, education, and jobs to the poor
Republicans: less gov’t regulation is the best wya to promote prosperity

Question 11

Sometimes, a third party forms. They are categorized under 3 types. Name them using the clues here:

1. They focus on 1 issue like immigration.
2. Based on a set of beliefs like the communist party
3. Unite around an independent leader with a strong personality

Answer 11

1. Single issue party
2. Certain ideology party
3. Independent leader

Question 12

How do 3rd parties get to appear on the ballot along with the other major two parties?

Answer 12

They need to collect a large group of signatures of voters who support them in order to petition to be on the ballot

Question 13

What is a “platform” as it relates to politics?

Answer 13

It is a series of statements expressing the party’s core beliefs and its position on various issues

Question 14

Explain “other party systems” that exist throughout the world.

Answer 14

1. Multiparty systems: France has 8, Israel has 20. Hard for 1 to take control.
2. One party system: China has 1 communist party. Elections are just for show. You cannot run against them. This is NOT democratic!