Political Parties

Directions - Answer the questions using complete sentences on your own paper. After number 4, click on the blue links to find the rest of the information you need to know.

1. Why did George Washington fear political parties?
2. What were the first two real political parties and who led them?
3. What function do third parties serve in the American political system?
4. What is the major goal of American political parties today?

Political parties are key players in American politics. But the Constitution does not mention political parties. In fact, many of the founders, including George Washington, distrusted permanent political parties, fearing that they would become too powerful. The first two political factions to appear were the Federalists, who supported ratification of the Constitution, and the Anti-Federalists, who opposed ratification. These factions disappeared once the Constitution was ratified. Yet, early in Washington's first administration as president, two new factions formed: the Federalists, who supported Alexander Hamilton and a group that gathered around Thomas Jefferson, called the Democratic Republicans. They were the first real parties.

Throughout most of American history, the United States has had two major parties. Today's Democratic Party can trace its origins to Jefferson's old party. Today's Republican Party can trace its origins to the election of 1854. Along the way, dozens of third parties have come and gone. Some of these parties were formed to promote a particular cause, such as the Prohibition Party or the Equal Rights party, which demanded the vote for women. Other third parties, such as the Populists and the Greenbackers, arose for a short period around economic issues. Some third parties, such as the Progressives and the Dixiecrats, splintered off from the Republican and Democratic parties. Some parties have developed around a certain leader, such as George Wallace's American Independent Party or Ross Perot's Reform Party.

Third parties have never received high percentages of votes at election time, but they still serve important functions in the American political system. They give those promoting reform a chance to express their ideas. For example, many of the ideas of the Progressives eventually were adopted by the major parties.

American political parties differ from those in many countries, where parties are often organized to promote a particular political or economic ideology such as socialism, communism, fascism, or capitalism. Others may represent a given economic interest such as labor or farmers. Some have been organized to promote a religious group or interest.

In contrast, American political parties are generally not ideological. Instead, they are made up of a loose collaboration of interests whose goal is to win the next election.

The rest of the assignment will be searching the Internet.

5. Why was the Republican Party established?
6. What is the nickname of the Republican Party? (Scroll to the bottom)
7. What is the symbol of the Republican party?
8. Why was it chosen?
9. When was the Democratic Party founded?
10. What is the symbol for the Democratic Party?
11. How was it chosen?
12. What are three areas on the agenda of the Democratic Party?
13. When was the Libertarian Party founded?
14. What position does the Libertarian Party take on abortion? Why? (You will have to scroll down to 1.4 to find the answer).
15. Who does the Libertarian Party should pay for your education? (Scroll down to 2.8)
16. What does the Constitution Party say that education cannot be separated from?
17. Who does the Constitution Party say should pay for your education?
18. What is the Green Party committed to?
19. What is a conservative?
20. What is a liberal?
21. Pick three of the issues on the website, and explain if you are a conservative or a liberal on the issues and why you feel this way.