Development of the U.S. Two-Party System

By Kjdavid
  • Federalists are Founded

    Hamilton led the federalists. They believed in strong national government and appealed to financial, manufacturing, and commercial interest.
  • The Anti-Federalists are Founded

    Jefferson founded the anti-federalist party. They were more sympathetic to the common man. They believed in a strict constructionist view of the constitution. This party was also called the Democratic-Republicans.
  • Democratic Party Emerges

    Andrew Jackson's Democratic Party, which came out of the Democratic-Republicans, came to power. The Jacksonian democrats tended to be small farmers, doctors, frontiersmen, and slave holders. They believed all white males should've able to vote, there should be an increase in the number of elected offices, and the spoils system.
  • Republican Party is Founded

    The Whig Party had little success, so they United with some democrats and founded to Republican Party. The election of Lincoln changed the power structure; politics were no longer dominated by democrats.
  • Roosevelt Democrats

    The Great Depression led to a change in the political landscape. Roosevelt, a democrat, was elected to the presidency. Roosevelt Democrats were southerners, small farmers, organized laborers, and big-city political organizations. The party focused mainly on social welfare and economic programs.
  • Modern Democrats

    -liberal
    -open to change
    -favor a minimum wage and progressive taxation
    -decrease military spending
    -support the legality of abortion
    -believe in community and that people should be socially responsible
  • Modern Republicans

    -conservative
    -adhere to tradition
    -taxes shouldn't be increased
    -increase military spending
    -oppose the legality of abortion
    -believe in individual rights and that justice should rule supreme