Evolution of Political Parties - Unit 9

The Whigs and the Know Nothings split apart because of disagreements over the future of slavery in the U.S.

Some smaller parties, such as the Free Soil Party, joined other like-minded groups to form new parties.

The fate of slavery was not an issue in American elections prior to 1860.

The strain within parties who did not have a firm position on the fate of slavery in America would eventually tear many of those parties apart.

Appeal to southern voters who were angry with President Johnson for signing the Civil Rights Acts

Appeal to Americans to unite behind a policy of ending Jim Crow policies

Appeal to conservative voters with a strategy of law and order in response to civil rights and anti-Vietnam War protests

Appeal to voters with a claim that Democratic policies were un-American

Supporters of different parties have different views on key issues.

Differences between liberals and conservatives cause them to adopt different positions on important issues. These large issues can drive elections.

Americans do not hold the same views of how society should function and what role government should play, and party positions are a reflection of those views.

Modern parties have learned from failed parties of the past that they must keep pace with their voters or risk becoming irrelevant.