The US two-party system

RepublicanGOP (Grand Old Party)

Democrat

The Two Party system

• By 1890 there were two clearly defined political parties in the USA.

• Both were strongly influenced by the Civil War.• Neither party was united in its beliefs. Both

were loose coalitions linking together varied groups and local issues.

• Both parties contained traditional and reforming elements.

• The 1896 election goes down in history as the election that changed presidential campaigns forever. It also led to a 16 year domination of the Republican Party. (90% turnout; campaign costs; ended 3rd party system, realigned parties)

• In 1912 this dominance was broken when Wilson the Democratic candidate was elected but he won because of fractions within the Republican rather than the strength of the Democrats.

• Since Truman, the parties have tended to switch every two terms

The Two Party system

Evolution of the South

• The Democrats were traditionally in the South from the Age of Jackson through the 1970s and 1980s. This is known as the Solid South.

• Once Eisenhower becomes president in the election of 1952, the Republicans start to break into the Solid South.

• Since Reagan, the South votes traditionally Republican.

US Presidents 1896-1980•1984 Ronald Reagan Republican Moral Majority/Cold War•1980 Ronald Reagan Republican Moral Majority/Cold War•1976 Jimmy Carter Democrat 297 Nixon scandals •1972 Richard M. Nixon Republican 520 Vietnam War•1968 Richard M. Nixon Republican 301 Vietnam War •1964 Lyndon B. Johnson Democrat 486 Civil rights •1960 John F. Kennedy Democrat 303 Recession, missile gap •1956 Dwight D. Eisenhower Republican 457 Prosperity •1952 Dwight D. Eisenhower Republican 442 Korean War •1948 Harry S. Truman Democrat 303 Do Nothing Congress •1944 Franklin D. Roosevelt Democrat 432 World War II •1940 Franklin D. Roosevelt Democrat 449 World War II, FDR 3rd term •1936 Franklin D. Roosevelt Democrat 523 New Deal, Social Security• 1932 Franklin D. Roosevelt Democrat 472 Great Depression• 1928 Herbert C. Hoover Republican 444 Boom, anti-Catholicism •1924 Calvin Coolidge Republican 382 Prosperity •1920 Warren G. Harding Republican 404 Normalcy •1916 Woodrow Wilson Democrat 277 World War I• 1912 Woodrow Wilson Democrat 435 Republican split •1908 William H. Taft Republican 321 Class warfare• 1904 Theodore Roosevelt Republican 336 Square Deal •1900 William McKinley Republican 292 Spanish-American War• 1896 William McKinley Republican 271 Silver/Gold Tariffs

Democrat vs. Republican

Republican HistoryDemocrat History

Party founded just before Civil War in 18541st Republican President: Abraham LincolnSeen as a “northerner” party in beginningAfter 1964 (Civil Rights movement): stronghold in the south, the Great Plains and Southwest rural areas

Traditionally seen as the southern partySince split in Republican Party in 1912 election, Democrats to the left of Republicans on social and fiscal issuesOver time many supporters from workers in Northern citiesShift in regional alliances in 1964: Civil Rights MovementStronghold today in Northeast, Great Lakes region and West coast urban population

Democrat vs. Republican

Republican Beliefs & SupportDemocrat Beliefs & Support

•Conservative (fiscally and socially)•States rights over Federal rights•Tax cuts, reducing social programs•Laisser-faire for government•Reliance on private sector as stimulus for economic growth•Dominant foreign policy•Favor increasing military spending•Oppose gun control laws•Far right: pro-religion, anti-bureaucracy, pro-military, pro-business and pro-personal responsibility (Tea party)•Self-reliance and freedom

•Liberal•Strong Federal Government= taxes•Social programs•Community and social justice•Environmental laws•Anti-discrimination laws•Education•Favor less increase in military spending•Favor gun control laws•Supported by minority groups: Catholics, Hispanics, blacks•Opportunity and equality

US Presidential Elections: Starter Activity

Look at each electoral map.What do these maps tell you about the two party system in

the USA?

Who won? How popular are the parties?

Is there a Geographical

pattern?

Are there anyMajor

changes?

1944 1948

1956

1964

1984

United States Presidential results between 1896 and 1932

Key:Extremely dark blue: Voted Democratic 8 out of 8 timesDark blue: Voted Democratic 7 out of 8 times (no U.S. states fit into this category)Blue: Voted Democratic 6 out of 8 timesLight blue: Voted Democratic 5 out of 8 timesGreen: Voted for each party 4 out of 8 timesPink: Voted Republican 5 out of 8 timesRed: Voted Republican 6 out of 8 timesDark red: Voted Republican 7 out of 8 timesVery dark red: Voted Republican 8 out 8 times