Political Parties Flashcards
What are the three types of party systems in modern governments?
The three types of party systems are:
- Single party: One political party controls the government (e.g. the Soviet Union or Nazi Germany
- Two party: Two major political parties vie for power
- Multi-party: Several smaller, non-majority parties with divergent interest seek power. Most governments are controlled by a coalition of these smaller parties (e.g. Israel, Germany)
How many political parties existed at the time the Constitution was enacted in 1789?
At the time of the Constitution, there were no political parties. By Washington’s second term as president, two political parties had developed around the dominant figures of the day: Alexander Hamilton (Federalist) and Thomas Jefferson (Democratic-Republicans).
Define:
first party system
The first party system describes the two party system, composed of Federalists and Democratic-Republicans, which existed in the United States from the late 1700s until the end of the War of 1812.
How did the Federalist Party envision the new national government’s role?
The Federalist Party, led by Alexander Hamilton, supported a strong central government. The Federalists wanted a national bank, tariffs, and good relations with Britain.
Hamilton and the Federalists argued that the Constitution provided implied powers and contended that the sovereign duties of a government implied the right to use means adequate to its ends.
Who were the Democratic-Republicans?
The Democratic-Republicans (aka the Anti-Federalists and Jeffersonian Republicans) opposed the Federalists in the early years of the Republic and were led by Thomas Jefferson. Democratic-Republicans stemmed from opponents of the new Constitution, desired a weak central government, and admired France. The Democratic-Republicans strongly denounced Hamilton’s creation of a national bank.
What was the Era of Good Feelings?
After the Federalist Party disintigrated during the War of 1812, the only national party was the Democratic-Republicans. President Monroe, who was in office for much of the period, sought to downplay partisan affiliation in making nominations with the goal of eliminating political parties altogether.
The Era of Good Feelings was mostly a facade, and the Democratic-Republicans would be torn asunder during the 1824 election.
What were the two political parties of the Second Party System (1824-1854)?
The two major parties were the Democratic Party and the Whig Party. Much as the Democratic-Republicans had done, the democrats favored a limited central government. The Whig Party favored a strong central government and a national bank.
During the period, most presidents were from the Democratic Party. Whig presidents, such as Harrison and Taylor, had a tendancy to die in office.
Andrew Jackson was the first candidate elected president from the _____ _____.
Democratic Party
Jackson was the first president elected from the “continuous Democratic Party” i.e. the Democratic Party that exists today. In opposition to Jackson, the Whig Party developed, which would elect its first president in 1840.
Which party replaced the Whig Party as the primary opposition to the Democratic Party?
After the Whig Party disintegrated due to slavery and sectionalism, the anti-slavery Republican Party replaced it beginning in 1854.
The birth of the Republican Party marked the dawn of the Third Party System, which lasted until the 1890s. During this period, Republicans were the dominant political party. President Lincoln was the first president from the Republican Party.
Which political party was dominate during the Fourth Party System, which lasted from the mid-1890s until 1932?
During the Fourth Party System, the Republican Party was dominant, and there was only one president who was a democrat, Woodrow Wilson.
During the era, Republicans focused on restraining big business, limiting federal spending, and foreign policies. Democrat’s power was concentrated in the South, where they enjoyed strong support from segregationists.
In 1912, the Republican Party split between William Howard Taft and Theodore Roosevelt. What was Roosevelt’s new party called?
Roosevelt took a number of republican voters with him into the Progressive Party, which newspaper reporters nicknamed the Bull Moose Party. The Progressive Party elected members to Congress in 1912, although it failed as a lasting political movement.
The era of Republican dominance ended with the election of which president in 1932?
In 1932, President Franklin Roosevelt was elected. Roosevelt’s New Deal era saw an unprecented expansion of the federal government and lasted roughly until 1968.
During the period, only one Republican president (Eisenhower) was elected and Congress mostly had majorities from the Democratic Party.
What characterists of party affiliation in Congress have existed since the mid-1980s?
Although American history has typically seen one party or the other control Congress for extended periods, from the mid-1980s to the present congressional control has fluctuated.
In 1980, Republicans took control of the Senate, followed by a seesaw between Democrat and Republican control.
In 1994, republicans took control of the House, which they lost in 2006 and regained in 2010.
Which party is thought to be more supportive of environmental issues?
Voters concerned about the environment typically support the Democrat Party.
Who are the neoconservatives?
The neoconservatives (neocons) support free markets, an assertive foreign policy, and overseas promotion of democracy, and political individualism. Neocons are typically members of the Republican Party.
