Party talk: why do we have a two-party system? What is a Democrat? What is a Republican?

In November 1860, cannons exploded, and gunfire rang through the streets of Washington, D.C. The occasion was not war--not yet--but a boisterous celebration of Abraham Lincoln's election as the first Republican President of the U.S.

Founded six years earlier, the Republican Party won the election in its second bid for the presidency. Lincoln managed to defeat both candidates put forth by the Democrats. His victory helped to throw the Democratic Party into turmoil.

The Democrats had long been dominant in American politics. But now the Republicans were firmly established as the Democrats' main political rivals. These two parties have dominated U.S. politics ever since.

Why Have Political Parties?

A political party is an organization formed by citizens who seek to have a controlling voice in a government. They do this by supporting candidates for election to public office--from the presidency to your local mayor.

George Washington, the first U.S. President, hoped for a country without political parties. He feared that they would divide "the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms."

Nevertheless, parties sprang up almost immediately, as political leaders argued over how strong the new federal government should be.

People who wanted a strong central government formed the Federalist Party, led by Alexander Hamilton. Those who favored a weaker central government organized the Democratic-Republican Party, led by Thomas Jefferson.

Most historians trace the origins of today's Democratic Party to the breakup of the Democratic-Republican Party in the late 1820s. A group headed by Andrew Jackson formed the new party.

In 1828, Jackson became the first Democrat to be elected President. The son of immigrants, Jackson spoke about the need to defend the rights of ordinary people from big business and government.

His opponents called him a "jackass." Later, thanks in large part to political cartoonist Thomas Nast, the donkey became the Democratic Party's symbol.

Nast also gave Republicans their symbol--the elephant. It became official in the 1880s.

People who opposed slavery helped form the Republican Party in 1854. Republicans disagreed with the Kansas-Nebraska Act, passed that same year, which allowed slavery to expand into the Western territories.

The Parties Today

The Democratic and Republican parties have changed a great deal since the mid-1800s. Today, Republicans tend to be more conservative than Democrats are. They believe that the government should play a limited role in people's lives. Republicans say that individuals, not government, can make the best decisions.

"We are the party of lower taxes, less government, less federal spending, fewer regulations, and strong national security," says Ed Gillespie, chairman of the Republican National Committee.

Democrats tend to be more liberal and believe that the government should do more to help its citizens, especially those in need. Democratic spokesman Tony Welch speaks of the "big tent" of the Democratic Party: "Today; we are the party of inclusiveness and diversity, with women, families, minorities, and young people."

Hamilton, Jefferson, and Jackson would have had no trouble understanding these positions.

What Are The Third Parties?

Despite our two-party system, there have been many independent (minor) parties in the U.S. These smaller parties-often called third parties-have never won the presidency, but they have made important contributions in national politics.

Many third-party proposals have gained such widespread public support that the two major parties were forced to adopt them. The convention system of nominating presidential candidates and the direct election of U.S. Senators were originally third-party proposals.

In the 2000 presidential election, the Green Party was one of several independent parties that nominated candidates. Ralph Nader ran as the Green Party candidate and won 2,9 million votes. Some Democrats believe that if Nader had not run, most of those votes would have been cast for Democrat AI Gore. And perhaps Gore would have won the election instead of George W. Bush.

Usually, third parties do not last long. But they play a crucial role by helping to express voter dis-satisfaction with the main parties.

Your Turn

THINK ABOUT IT

1. What purpose do political parties serve in our system of government?

2. Why do you think it is difficult for third parties to establish themselves?

OBJECTIVES

Students should understand

* the origins of the Republican and Democratic parties;

* the role of third parties.

THINKING SKILLS

Ask students to discuss what they think it means for an individual to claim to be a Republican, Democrat, or independent.

BACKGROUND

Party affiliation does not mean straight party voting in elections. For example, Republican Ronald Reagan received many votes in the 1980 and 1984 U.S. presidential elections from people who considered themselves Democrats. Often, people will vote their party line in state and local elections, but jump to another party in presidential contests.

THINKING SKILLS

COMPREHENSION: What divisive issue in the mid-1800s led to the creation of the Republican Party? (People who were opposed to slavery helped form the Republican Party in 1854.)

COMPARE AND CONTRAST: How do the political beliefs of conservatives and liberals differ on a basic level? (Political conservatives believe a government should play a limited role in the lives of individuals. Liberals believe the government should have a larger role in people's lives. For example, the government should offer more programs to help citizens in need.)

ACTIVITY

DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN?: Help students research the political platforms of the Democrats and Republicans in the 2000 U.S. presidential election. Ask students to chose one party and its platform to support. Conduct a classroom debate on where each party stood on certain issues, such as national defense, education, health care, environmental conservation, and taxes.

STANDARDS

SOCIAL STUDIES, GRADES 5-8

* Individuals, groups, and institutions: How political beliefs and competition for control of the U.S. government led to the creation of political parties.

* Power, authority, and governance: How many independent parties in the U.S. have made important contributions to U.S. politics.

RESOURCES

PRINT

* Landau, Elaine, Friendly Foes (Lerner Publishing, 2003). Grades 5-8.

* Wade, Linda, Careers in Law and Politics (Mitchell Lane, 2001). Grade 8.

WEB SITES

* Republican National Committee www.rnc.org/

* Democratic National Committee www.democrats.org/