History of the Two party System

  • Anti Federalists

    Adams and the Federalist party were opposed by the Anti-Federalist Party who believed that the vast majority of ordinary, less educated people, had the skills and common sense required to run the government.
  • Federalists

    John Adams is elected president for the Federalist Party who believed that the new central government, and the well-educated, wealthy classes, should be given the greatest power of government. The Federalist Papers explained the Constitution to the American people and promoted the concept of Federalism
  • Democratic Republicans

    Thomas Jefferson, leader of the Democratic-Republican Party, was elected the third president of the United States in 1800. The Democratic-Republican Party adhered to the Constitution in order to limit the powers of the federal government and was strongly opposed to aristocracy, monarchy, corruption and elitism
  • Fall of Federalist Party

    The Federalists bitterly opposed the rising power of the Democratic-Republicans and held secret meetings at the Hartford Convention to air their views reproaching Madison's administration and the War of 1812, some delegates favored secession. The War of 1812 ended with a sense of victory and sealed the destruction of the Federalist party. The secrecy of the Hartford Convention discredited the Federalists who were seen as too extreme and disloyal and even branded as "traitors".
  • Jacksonian Democrats

    Jacksonian democracy. A movement for more democracy in American government in the 1830's. Led by President Andrew Jackson, this movement championed greater rights for the common man and was opposed to any signs of aristocracy in the nation.
  • Lincolns Republicans

    The first official party convention was held on July 6, 1854 in Jackson, Michigan. By 1858, the Republicans dominated nearly all Northern states. The Republican Party first came to power in the elections of 1860 when it won control of both houses of Congress and its candidate, Abraham Lincoln, was elected President.
  • FDR's Democrats

    FDR led the United States through the Great Depression and World War II, greatly expanding the powers of the federal government through a series of programs and reforms known as the New Deal.
  • Modern Republican Party

    Wages should be set by free market and taxes should not increase
    increase military spending
    Pro Life
    Government regulation limit free amrket
  • Modern Democratic Party

    Based on social responsibility
    Decrease military spending
    Pro Choice
    Progressive taxation (High income earners pay more)
    Government needs to regulate trade