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Period: to
Federalist - Antifederalist Era
From the founding of the U.S. until the first realigning election in 1828, the Federalist and Democratic-Republican (Antifederalist) parties dominated American politics.
The Federalists were the liberal party because they believed in strong central government.
The Democratic-Republicans were conservative because they believed a weaker central government that would not interfere as much socially or economically. -
Election of Thomas Jefferson
Jefferson won a close election against the Federalist Alexander Hamilton, which led to the domination of the Democratic-Republican party throughout the rest of the First Party Era. This was a critical election because it marked the first shift in power in U.S. history from the liberals (Federalists) to the conservatives. -
Election of Andrew Jackson
Jackson was one of the more far-right elected presidents. Some of his conservative policies were based on limiting the powers of Congress. He also shut down the National bank.
This was a realigning election because both of the dominant parties from the previous era dissolved. A single party (Democratic-Republican) was divided and formed the two dominant parties of the new era. It also marked the beginning of an era of a government dominated by conservatives. -
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Jacksonian Era
The two main parties during this era were the Democrats (previously Democratic-Republicans) and the opposing Whigs. The Democrats dominated elections and did not lose an election until the 1960's.
The Democrats, headed by Andrew Jackson in 1828, were the conservative party during the second party era.
The Whigs were the liberal party as can be seen in their policies such as economic proctectionism -
Election of Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the candidate for the newly-formed Republican party. He won most of the Northern votes because his platform was centered around anti-slavery, which was the issue that divided the nation at the time. This was a critical election because it marked the rise to power of a new dominant party, and issued in a new era of increased federal power. -
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Civil War/ Reconstruction/ Roaring 20's Era
After the Whigs dissolved in 1854, the Democrats split into two parties: The anti-slavery Republicans, and the pro-slavery Southern Democrats. The Republicans held control of the presidency almost all the way through the this period.
The Democrats were still the conservative party during this era because of their belief in states rights. (slavery being one)
The Republicans were liberal because they wanted the national government to abolish slavery, which was a state right originally. -
Election of Franklin D. Roosevelt/ New Deal
FDR's platform in the 1932 election was based around his New Deal. The New Deal policies focused on ending the Great Depression through implementation of programs such as public works projects and banking reforms. This was a realigning election because both dominant political parties were forced to shift their platforms to address the new economic crisis. -
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New Deal
This era began with the election of FDR in response to the stock market crash in 1929. The decades following saw a shift in the balance of power from the states to Federal government.
The Democrats and Republicans switched sides during this era, the democrats, led by FDR, became liberal. The Republicans were more conservative. -
Election of Richard Nixon/ Southern Realignment
Nixon's platform, known as the Southern Strategy, was based upon the idea of giving the rights back to the states. This election was critical because it marked another shift in power for the federal government. Where the New Deal policies had increased the power of congress, Nixon's policies were designed to take away that same power. -
Period: to
Civil Rights - Present Day system
The period beginning during the Vietnam War and the civil rights movement saw a shift of power back to the states. This is the modern day party era.
The Republicans, led by Nixon in 1968, continue to be the conservative party. Their ideas tend to be based on limited federal intervention.
The Democrats are still the liberal party. Modern Democrats support policies such as universal health care, which gives the national government power over the state governments. -
Next Critical Election Prediction
I think 2016 will be a critical election because the Republicans and Democrats will be forced to shift their platforms in such a way that will eliminate, or at least decrease the presence of gridlock in Congress. The federal government is currently without the ability to function because both sides refuse to cooperate. If both sides could be made to cooperate, more policies could be passed and there would be no more government shut downs.
