Political parties and Interest groups

February 6, 2025
Political Parties

In the United States

You can identify and explain political parties.

You can describe differences between political parties.

You can explain the role political parties play in creating public policy.

​Success criteria:

Explain how political parties influence government policy.

Evaluate political parties' impact on government policy.

Essential Question:

What are we doing today?

Let's start by seeing what you already know. 

Drag and Drop

A political party is a group of

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​ who ​

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the same views about ​

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Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

people

representatives

divide

share

power/government

state's rights

federalism

Multiple Choice

A group of people who come together based on shared political beliefs is known as what?

• Majority party
• Minority party
• Political party
• Political platform

Multiple Choice

Although third parties traditionally don't win elections in America, what benefit do they provide?

• They raise awareness on issues
• They raise money for Republicans and Democrats
• They serve no purpose
• None of the above

Multiple Choice

Why do Republicans and Democrats traditionally keep their political platforms broad?

• To attract as many votes as possible.
• They don't have strong political platforms. 

Poll

How would you rank your understanding of why political parties?

• I'm lost

• Okay, but I could use a bit more information

• I'm good

Before you go any farther, practice the vocabulary on quizlet. Log in to quizlet or use the link below.

https://quizlet.com/871679637/political-parties-flash-cards/?i=jv07n&x=1jqt

Methods used by the government to address problems or issues.

Policies

The way in which people or groups try to influence government decisions.

Politics

Terms to Remember as we move forward.

Today's lesson will focus on 2 areas:

Major parties

3rd parties

Political Parties are groups of people trying to control policy by winning elections.

Why do people form political parties?

People have a better chance of controlling the government and public policy if they work together to win elections.


More supporters = more votes.

More supporters = more money to win an election.

Open Ended

Identify and explain the advantages of having a political party.

Open Ended

Explain several ways political parties influence government.

Multiple Choice

People with similar ideas usually belong to the same  . . . .

• Political party
• Voting precinct
• Primary group
• Gym

Multiple Choice

Candidates from the same political party campaign throughout the country to  . . .

• Win the friendship of party members
• Win the votes of party members
• Win the chance to continue in politics
• Win the lottery

Multiple Choice

A primary is . . .

• An election to select a Vice Presidential running mate for the general election
• An election to select the candidate's campaign slogan
• An election to select a party's candidate for the general election
• An election to select a campaign mascot

Multiple Choice

After primaries and caucuses are over, the political parties have what kind of meeting to choose the one candidate to represent the party in the general election?

• Regional convention
• National convention
• National seminar
• Regional Seminar

Multiple Choice

The ideas and goals of a party are known as a _______________.

• platform

• primary

• convention

Why do people choose one party over another?

People have preferences - beliefs, traditions, biases, and ideas that influence their choice to support a party.


People's political preferences fall on a spectrum, usually referred to as 'right-wing', 'left-wing', or moderate.

Where do these terms come from?

These terms come from Revolutionary France legislature, where conservatives, those who believe in more traditional ideas, sat on the right.


Liberals, those who wanted greater change in government and society, sat on the left.


Those who shared some views with each side, moderates, sat in the middle.

Despite what media or parties may want you to believe, most people aren't completely one or the other, having differing views depending on the issue.

Parties benefit from polarization - the idea people must only support one side, because it gains them more votes.

Where do you fit on the political spectrum?

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Multiple Choice

The single greatest influence on an individual’s first party identification is

• Age

• Gender

• Income

• Parents

Open Ended

People often fall on a political spectrum. Few people are completely republican or democrat. If this is true, why do you think people choose to support these parties?

​The United States is a 2 Party system.

A 2 Party system means that even though there are more than 2 political parties in the United States, only the Republicans and Democrats have any real chance of controlling the government.

This is because our election system is winner takes all. This means whomever gets the most votes wins. Republicans and Democrats work very hard that no other party receives as many votes as they do.

The Republican Party (Quick Facts)

• Color: Red (2000 - Present)

• Mascot: Elephant

• Strong Republican States: Texas, Alabama

• Conservative

• The "Right"

Where did they get their name?

Formed in 1854 as an anti-slavery party, 'Republican' was a way of signifying their ideals were similar to Thomas Jefferson's, which favored states having more power than the federal government.

Southern, slave-holding states were more in favor of a strong federal government to uphold slavery at the time. Southern states only began to argue for more state power after Lincoln, a Republican, was elected.

The Democratic Party (Quick Facts)

• Color: Blue (2000 - Present)

• Mascot: Donkey

• Strong Democratic States: California, New York, Illinois

• Liberal

• The "Left"

​Where did their name come from?

Originally Democratic- Republicans, Democrats were called this because Jefferson and other supporters wanted a weaker federal government and more power in the hands of states and the people.

The name was shortened in 1848,

Multiple Choice

People with similar ideas usually belong to the same  . . . .

• Political party
• Voting precinct
• Primary group
• Gym

Multiple Choice

The US is a

• parliamentary system

• multiparty system

• two party system

• one party system

Multiple Select

Which of the following would democrats generally agree with?

• Pro choice

• 2nd Amendment

• Universal Health Care

• Raising taxes

Multiple Select

Which of the following would republicans generally agree with?

• Pro life

• 2nd Amendment

• Universal Health Care

• Raising taxes

Open Ended

What questions might a person have about political parties?

If the US has a 2-party system, why do 3rd parties exist?

Not everyone agrees with the Democrats or Republicans. While some voters can decide to be independent and not support either party, others see the benefit of joining up with people who share similar beliefs.

3rd Parties

• All Other Parties that are not Democrats or Republicans

• Wide variety of beliefs!

Open Ended

Why do people join 3rd parties?

Why do you think are some reasons why 3rd parties aren't more successful in national elections?

Multiple Choice

The two major parties write election rules that discourage non-major parties.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

The US is a

• parliamentary system

• multiparty system

• two party system

• one party system

Open Ended

Use the video to answer the question:

If the 2 major parties make it so difficult for 3rd parties to have an impact, why are 3rd parties important to elections?

Open Ended

Explain a 3rd party to someone who knows nothing about politics.

Poll

How would you rank your ability to explain political parties?

• I'm lost

• Okay, but I could use a bit more information

• I'm good