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Creation of Political Parties Era
This Era included the creation of the Federalist, and the Democratic - Republicans. The primary issue they debated was whether or not to approve of the Constitution. -
Adoption of the New US Constitution
During the formalization of the US Constitution, two distinct factions formed. One, the Federalists, were led by Alexander Hamilton in an effort to pass the Constitution, whereas Patrick Henry led the other in an effort to oppose the passage of the document. After the US Constitution was adopted, James Madison and Thomas Jefferson formed what would one day be the Democratic - Republican Party. -
Adams Defeats Jefferson
Jefferson and Madison thought that the Democratic - Republican Party would be a temporary arrangement, designed to stop Adams and the Federalist Party from siezing power. However, Adams beat out Jefferson, and Jefferson became the second vice-president of the United States. -
Election of 1800 (Realignment)
Jefferson defeated Adams for the Presidency. This marked the first period in histroy when the Democratic - Republicans assumed control of the government. Though the Federalists feared that Jefferson would dismantle the Constitution, Jefferson wisely attempted to quell arguments on both sides to avoid secession. First Realignment. -
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Era of the Democratic - Republicans
Druring this time period, Democratic - Republicans ran virtually unapposed. In the election of 1824, for example, both candidates were Democratic - Republicans. This was the manifestation of Jefferson's dream that political parties would become redundant and would soon disappear altogether. -
War of 1812
The victory in the War of 1812 is often accredited to the Democratic - Republicans as by this time, the Federalists were weakining. This led directly to the poularity of the Democratic - Republicans. -
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Era of Good Feeling
This marked a time period in which there was a strong sense of national purpose. During this time, many offficials such as President Monroe, began to try to establish officials from a wide political spectrum. Starting from 1812 and lasting until the election of Andrew Jackson, the Democratic - Republicans saw a period where they were the only significant political party, with the fall of the Federalists. -
Death of the Federalist Party/ Election of 1816
Rufus King, a Federalist nominee, loses in the presidential election to James Monroe. The Federalist party never nominated another candidate for president. -
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Jacksonian Era
This was the period that is referred to as the "Second Party System". It is a time when political parties were created and lasted from the Jackson's first run for presidency and ended with the start of the Civil War. -
Election of 1824
Jackson lost the election to Adams even though he had the majority of both the electoral and popular vote. He did not achieve the presidency because he did not win enough electoral votes to mandate victory, and thus it was decided by the House of Representatives. This result led to the discreditation of the caucus system. -
Election of 1828 (Realignment)
This was the election that Jackson began running as a Democrat, or a Jacksonian Democrat as opposed to the Jeffersonian Democrat (Democratic - Republican). This election marked the transition from the First Party System to the Second Party System. Second Realignment. -
Alternative to Caucuses
The first convention by a major political party took palce. This party was the National Republicans or the Anti - Jackson Republicans which eventually merged into the Whig Party. -
Election of 1832
The first election where Presidential electors were chosen by popular vote. Before that period, electors were chosen by state legistlatures in about half the states. Presidential politics had now become a national phenomenon. -
Election of 1836
This was the first Presidential election in which the Whig Party participated. The Whig party was formed out of the National Republican Party, and the Anti - Masonic Party, the latter of which was the first "Third Party" of the United States. The Whigs managed to get a total of 4 Presidents elected to office, before eventually merging into the Modern Republican Party. -
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The Civil War and Sectionalism
Although during the Jacksonian Era, the USA had a truly National system, it could not stand the schisms that were to result from the issue of slavery. Many old parties divided and many new ones formed, and the Modern Republican Party (GOP) became the only 3rd party to ever gain majority - party status. -
Liberty Party Founding
This was a realitvely minor party that made little impact on the overall political history of America by themselves. However, they were one of the first to mantain Anti - Slavery ideals, and when they were absorbed into the Modern Republican Party, these values were passed on. -
Election of 1848
This was the first major election that the Free Soil Party mangaed to participate in. Former President Buren was their candidate for this election. The Free Soil Party championed the beliefs that not having slaves constituted of a morally and economically superior system to slavery. The Liberty Party was taken in by the Free Soil Party, which in turn, eventually merged into the Modern Republican Party. -
Split of the Democratic Party
Stephen A. Douglas led half of the Democratic Party, primarily the North, which could not decide what to do with the issue of slavery. John C. Breckinridge led the other half, primarily the South, who denied that the government had a right to outlaw slavery. -
Election of 1860 (Realignment)
Lincoln's election was a direct catalyst for the Civil War. He was the face of the second presidential candidate for the Modern Republican Party (GOP). This party merged the Whig, Liberty, and Free Soil Parties, and took a stance on the abolishment of slavery. Third Realignment. -
Election of 1884
This election marked the first time that "Mugwumps" or the Progressives of the Republican Party made an impact on the Presidential level. They supported Democratic nominee Grover Cleaveland, and helped him attain the presidency. -
Election of 1896 (Realignment)
Bryan captured the Democratic nomination and adopted a populist paltform. The Republican who carried the big cities instead of farmers won the election under McKinley. The realignment during this election was due to economics and not slavery as it had been before. Fourth Realignment. -
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The Era of Reform
This Era was marked by those who valued primary elections over nominating conventions due to the fact that they felt the latter was manipulated by party bosses. They pressed for stricter voting laws and civil service reform. This helped subdue the worst forms of political corruption, but it also weakened the strong lines of political parties in general. -
Election of 1912
Theodore Roosevelt ran underneath the Progressive (Bull Moose) Party. After the Republicans lost to Woodrow Wilson due to the split of the Republican vote, the Republicans became more pro-business. -
Election of 1932 (Realignment)
This political realignment was caused by another economic depression. The Democrats began trying to obain a voter base that was not only from the big cities, but the farmers of more rural areas as well. They tried to appeal to both Blacks and Whites in the South. Fifth Realignment. -
Election of 1952
Eisenhower's win of the Presidential seat made him the only Republican for years before and after to gain that power. This was in direct response to the Cold War, and Eisenhower's military experience gave him the edge over Stevenson. -
Election of 1972
This election marked the height of Split- Ticket Voting. It hovered around the 25% mark. Split - Ticket Voting has ensured that the White House and Congress remain controlled by opposite parties. -
Nixon Resignation
Due to the Watergate Scandal, Nixon felt that he had to resign. His resignation during the second term of his presidency hurt the Republican Party, and led to the election of Carter. -
Election of 1980
Sometimes considered to be a potential Sixth Realignment owing to the administration being one of the most conservative in history. However, Reagan's popularity was derved more from the lack of support of Carter and his economic sucess within his first term. Since his adminstration left Democrats in control of Congress many historians dispute if it could actually be considered a realignment. -
Election of 2004
This was the year the Democratic National Convention attempted to use computerized direct-mail techniques to raise money. They raised more money than they ever had before but failed to outraise the Republican National Convention, and instead ended up spending more than their opponents. -
Election of 2008
Obama's rise to presidency was the culmination of a change of voting patterns that started in 1972. When comparing the ratio of Republicans to Democrats in 1952 to those in 2008, we see that the South has switched from 1:6 to 1:1. This shows the markings of the first major realignment of a region in years.
