History of the Two Party System

1
History of the Two Party System
2
Nations First Parties

• Originally Formed around the issue of
  Constitutional ratification and carried into the
  1800s
• Federalists(Pro-Ratification)- led by Alexander
  Hamilton and advocated a liberal interpretation
  of the Constitution
• Democratic-Republicans(old Anti-Federalists)- led
  by Thomas Jefferson and followed strict
  interpretation

3
The Era of the Democrats(1800-1860)

• During this time
• Federalist dissolved(1816)
• Democrats split into factions
• Whigs, led by Henry Clay and Daniel Webster
• Democrats, led by Andrew Jackson

4
Rise of the Republicans

• The disagreements that led to the Civil War
  became really heated during the 1850s.
• The leaders of the Whigs had died and the party
  died with them
• Democrats divided again(pro vs. anti-slavery)
• Republican party formed to challenge for power

5
Era of the Republicans(1860-1932)

• Lincoln was the first Republican.
• 1912, their power was challenged when Teddy
  Roosevelt was denied the Repub. Ticket. He split
  Republican votes from Taft when he formed the
  Bull Moose Party(Woodrow Wilson won)

6
Return of the Democrats(1932-1968)

• Franklin Roosevelt was elected to four
  consecutive terms.