Question 1 What was our nation’s first political parties? A. Democrats and Republicans B. Whigs...

Question 1

• What was our nation’s first political parties?

• A. Democrats and Republicans• B. Whigs and Republicans• C. Federalists and Anti-Federalists• D. Communism and Republicans• E. None of the Above

Question 2

• Anti-Federalists favored what type of structure of government?

A. Strong executive leadershipB. Liberal interpretations of the ConstitutionC. That Congress is the strongest arm of govt.D. A communist style of governmentE. None of the above

Question 3

• The first major era of the American political parties was dominated by which party?

A. DemocratsB. RepublicansC. WhigsD. None of the Above

Question 4

• What year was the Republican party formed?

A. 1881B. 1854C. 1931D. 1774E. 1889

Question 5

• What event help the Republicans control the White House from 1860 to 1931.

A. Great DepressionB. Revolutionary WarC. Spanish American WarD. French Indian WarE. Civil War

Question 6

• Which Democratic President was elected 4 times to office?

A. John F. KennedyB. Franklin D. RooseveltC. Theodore RooseveltD. Harry TrumanE. Bill Clinton

Question 7

• Which political party has dominated the Presidential elections since 1968?

A. RepublicansB. DemocratsC. WhigsD. None of the Above

The Nation’s First Parties

Federalists• Led by Alexander Hamilton• Represented wealthy and upper-class interests• Favored strong executive leadership and liberal

interpretation of the Constitution

Anti-Federalists• Led by Thomas Jefferson• Represented the “common man”• Favored Congress as the strongest arm of government

and a strict interpretation of the Constitution

American Parties: Four Major Eras

The Three Historical Eras The Era of the Democrats,

1800—1860– Democrats dominate all

but two presidential elections.

– The Whig Party emerges in 1834, but declines by the 1850s, electing only two Presidents.

– The Republican Party is founded in 1854.


The Era of the Republicans, 1860—1932– Republicans dominate

all but four presidential elections.

– The Civil War disables the Democratic Party for the remainder of the 1800s.


The Return of the Democrats, 1932—1968– Democrats dominate all but two presidential

elections.– Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt is elected

President four times.

American Parties: Parties TodayThe Start of a New Era: The Era of Divided Government

Since 1968, neither Republicans nor Democrats have dominated the presidency and Congress has often been controlled by the opposing party.

1968–1976 Republicans hold the presidency Congress is controlled by Democrats

1976–1980 Democrats hold the presidencyCongress is controlled by Democrats

1980–1992 Republicans hold the presidency Senate controlled by Republicans 1980-1986, controlled by Democrats from 1986 to 1994

1992 – 2000 Democrats hold the presidency Congress controlled by Republicans, 1994 to present

2000 Republicans hold the presidencyCongress is controlled by Republicans