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. 

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.

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?

​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,

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!