Section 3.2: Political Parties in the US

Purpose/Examples of Linkage Institutions

​Definition: Structure in society that connects the people with the government.

Examples: Political Parties, Interest Groups, the Media, etc.

What are Political Parties?
What is their purpose?

​An organization that coordinates candidates for an election.

(Influence public policy by getting candidates elected)

Goal: Help people with/ similar beliefs express their views.

Why did Political Parties form in the USA?
Why did George Washingon warn against them?

Cause: Leaders had different political and economic beliefs.
Washington: Parties work for themselves, not the public good.

Multiple Choice

Which notable Founding Father warned against forming political parties?

• Thomas Jefferson

• John Adams

• James Madison

• George Washington

Party System in the United States

​The US has a two-party system with two dominant groups.
(Other countries have a variety of political parties.)

Multiple Choice

How many major political parties are there in the United States?

• One

• Two

• Three

• Four

Liberals
"Hands-On" Govt.
Political Left (Democrats)
Create Govt. Programs
Govt. Job: Help the People

Liberals vs. Conservatives

Conservatives
"Hands-Off" Govt.
Political Right (Republicans)
Cut Govt. Spending
Govt. Job: Run the Country

Categorize

Options (8)

"Hands-On" Govt.

Political Left (Democrats)

Create Govt. Programs

Govt. Job: Help the People

"Hands-Off" Govt.

Political Right (Republicans)

Cut Govt. Spending

Govt. Job: Run the Country

Match the details below to the correct political philosophy:

Liberal

Conservative

Federalists
For the US Constitution
Liberals (North)
Led by Alexander Hamilton
Prefer Strong Central Govt.

First Two "Factions" (Political Parties)

Democratic-Republicans
Against the US Constitution
Conservatives (South)
Led by Thomas Jefferson
Prefer State Power

Categorize

Options (8)

For the Constitution

Liberals (North)

Alexander Hamilton

Strong Central Govt.

Against the Constitution

Conservatives (South)

Thomas Jefferson

State Power

Match the following information to the first two American political parties:

Federalists

Democratic-Republicans

Two Major Political Parties in the USA Today

​Democrats (Donkey/Blue)

Republicans (Elephant/Red)

Categorize

Options (4)

Blue

Donkey

Red

Elephant

Organize these options into the right categories

Democrats

Republicans

Origins of the Major Political Parties

Democratic Party: Founded in 1828 by Andrew Jackson

Republican Party (GOP): Founded in 1854 w/ Abraham Lincoln

Impact of "Third-Party Candidates"

Major Political Parties Adopt Beliefs of Minor Political Parties.
(Ex: The Populist Party -> The Direct Election of US Senators)


Third-party candidates often spoil elections for Major Parties.
(Example: Roosevelt kept Taft from a win)

​Conservatives (Less Govt.)
Anti-Federalists
Democratic-Republicans



Democrats
Democrats
Republicans

Liberals (More Govt.)
Federalists
Federalists



Whigs
Republicans
Democrats

Evolution of American Political Parties










Democratic-Republicans (Era of Good Feelings)

​Conservative (R)
Richard Nixon
Ronald Reagan
George Bush

Liberal (D)
Franklin D. Roosevelt
John F. Kennedy
Lyndon B. Johnson

Notable Liberal/Conservative Presidents

Liberal/Conservative on the Supreme Court

​Liberal (D): Judicial Activism
(Change the Law)

Conservative (R): Judicial Restraint
(Uphold the Law)

Dropdown

Liberal Judges are more likely to use ​

Select answer

. This means that they want to​

Select answer

the law. On other other hand, Conservative Judges will use ​

Select answer

. This means they want to ​

Select answer

the law.