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Constitutional Convention
Created the federalist and anti-federalist party.
Federalist party - favored a strong central government; Alexander Hamilton was the head of the Federalist party and he took a lead in financial, manufacturing, and commercial interest; party of the rich and well-born.
Anti-Federalist part - favored a weak central government and more power in the state government; party of the common man. -
Democratic Party
The anti-federalists became the Democratic Republicans under the leadership of Thomas Jefferson -
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Democratic-Republican Dominance
The Democratic-Republicans were unopposed until the mid 1820s. In 1828, Andrew Jackson's Democratic party came to power. -
Jacksonian Democrats
In 1828, Andrew Jackson's Democratic Party called the "Jacksonian Democrats" came to party. Jacksonian Democracy championed greater rights for the "common man" and opposed aristocracy of any kind in the United States -
The Party of Lincoln
Founded in the Northern States by anti-slavery activists, modernizers, ex-Whigs, and ex-Free Soilers. Republicans were against slavery, and for the preservation of the Union. The southern Democrats seceded from the Union causing the Civil War. -
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Modern Democrats
Sometime between 1860 and 1936 the Republican and Democrat Parties switched platforms, it's unclear as to when exactly they switched, but by 1936 that is when the Democrat Party we know today came to fruition. Modern Democrats are liberal and open to change. They favor a minimum wage and progressive taxation; a decrease in military spending; and legal abortions. They value community and everyone being socially responsible. -
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Modern Republicans
It is unknown when the parties specifically switched, but sometime between 1860 and 1936 the Republican and Democrat Parties completely switched their platforms to become the modern parties we know today. Republican Party is conservative and adheres to tradition. They believe taxes should be increased; military spending should be increased; and abortion should be illegal. They also maintain the belief that individual rights and justice should reign supreme. -
Roosevelt Democrats
The Great Depression changed the political landscape. The Roosevelt Democrats championed southerners, small farmers, organized labor, social welfare, and economic programs.
