Section 3.2: Political Parties in the US

​An organization that coordinates candidates for an election.

(Influence public policy by getting candidates elected)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

​Democrats (Donkey/Blue)

Republicans (Elephant/Red)

Democratic Party: Founded in 1828 by Andrew Jackson

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

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

​Conservative (R)
Richard Nixon
Ronald Reagan
George Bush

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

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

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