Historic American Political Parties

Early Political Parties

A concise overview of American political parties and their development over time.

Lesson Objectives

We will Explain the origin and development of American political parties.

I will follow along on quizizz and answer questions to check for understanding during our lesson. I will check for comprehension by creating a graphic organizer that outlines early American political parties and their beliefs.

Multiple Choice

According to the video, what did George Washington think of political parties?

• He thought that political parties were a great way to bring people together.
• He believed that political parties were necessary for a healthy democracy.
• He warned against the dangers of political parties and believed that they would divide the nation and lead to conflict.
• He believed that political parties should be abolished and replaced with a monarchy.

Multiple Choice

Which political party was supported by farmers and advocated for a strict interpretation of the Constitution?

• Federalist Party
• Republican Party

• Democratic Party
• Democratic-Republican Party

Word Cloud

What come to your mind when you hear "political party"?

Democrat and Republican parties in the United States today

Examples:

According to the dictionary, a political party is a group of persons organized to acquire and exercise political power.

Definition:

What are Political Parties?

The Federalist Party

• The first political party in the United States

• Formed in 1791 by Alexander Hamilton

• Advocated for a strong central government and a central bank

• Supported the ratification of the Constitution

• Loose interpretation of the Constitution.

• Supported by merchants and factory owners (rich people)

Multiple Choice

True or false, political parties ARE NOT an important part of American history

• True

• False

Dropdown

The ​

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party was the first political party in the United States. They advocated for a ​

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central government and a ​

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. They were founded by ​

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They were mostly supported by ​ ​

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.

The Democratic-Republican Party

• Formed in 1791 by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison

• Opposed: Federalist Party and their strong central government, did not want a central bank

• Beliefs: Limited government, strict interpretation of the Constitution

• Evolution: Split into Democratic Party and Republican Party in the 1820s

• Supported by farmers (common people)

The Whig Party

• The Whig Party was a political party in the United States that existed from the early 1830s to the mid-1850s.

• It was formed in opposition to President Andrew Jackson and his Democratic Party.

• The Whigs supported a strong federal government, protective tariffs, and internal improvements.

• Notable Whig leaders included Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, and William Henry Harrison.

Multiple Choice

Which political party was formed in 1791 by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison?

• Federalist Party

• Democratic-Republican Party

• Democratic Party

• Republican Party

Multiple Choice

Which political party in the United States supported a strong federal government, protective tariffs, and internal improvements?

• Democratic Party

• Republican Party

• Whig Party

• Federalist Party