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Federalist Party
The Federalist party was among the first to be established and followed the views of Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and John Adams. Favored a strong central government and expressed views for the Bank of the United States. Their main difference from their opponents was that they were more in favor of industrialization for the country. With their candidate, John Adams, they won the election of 1796. -
Democratic Republican Party
Under Thomas Jefferson, the Democratic Republicans favored strong state and weaker central governments in addition to promoting a more agricultural society. This party was founded by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison around 1792 to oppose the policies of the Federalist party. They would go on to win the presidency during the elections spanning 1800 to 1824 -
Democratic Party
The Democratic party evolved from the Democratic- Republican party organized by Jefferson and Madison. However, it split over the choice of a successor to President James Monroe and, led by Andrew Jackson and Martin van Buren became the modern Democratic Party. Key policies employed by them included elimination of property requirements for voting and expansion of suffrage for white males. Near the time of their founding, they won the elections of 1828, 1836, 1844, 1852, and are still prominent. -
Whig Party
The Whig Party was the opposition to the Democratic Party during the Jacksonian Era. Most groups that were against Jackson joined forces within this political party. As a result, it advocated a diverse range of ideals such as states' rights, and infrastructure improvements, such as road building. The Whig Party won elections in 1840 and 1848. During their time, William Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor, and Millard Fillmore held the presidency after two of them died while in office. -
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Republicans vs. Democrats
In the 1850's the Republican party formed in opposition to expansion of slavery. They favored high tariffs, internal improvements, and increased government intervention in citizens' lives. They first won the election of 1860 with notable candidate, Abraham Lincoln. To this day there has been 19 presidents and they continue to battle the Democrats for control of the executive branch. -
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New Deal Coalition
As a result of the Great Depression, the election of 1932 led to a shift in party loyalties and alignments. Under Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the Democratic Party increased government involvement and promoted many programs to help the people and economy back on their feet. Specifically, they targeted urban residents, the poor, African Americans, and other groups with their New Deal Coalition. As a result, the Democrats were able to win elections in 1932, 1944, 1960 and 1962. -
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Southern Realignment
In 1968, Richard Nixon won the presidency. He ran on the platform of states' rights, strong military, and justice. As a result of the realignment, the government experienced an era of Divided Party Government in which different political parties controlled the different branches of government. When people witness this division, they move away from both parties. Also during this era, control of the executive branch would alternate between Democrat and Republican Parties. -
3rd Parties in government
Although we have seen an alternation in power between Democrat and Republican parties, 3rd parties are still relevant. Often times, these parties aim to accomplish a certain cause or goal as seen with Teddy Roosevelt's Progressive Party in 1912. He ran on the platform of women's rights, insurance, and internal improvements. Other 3rd parties in recent history include the Green Party which advocated for environmentalists, and the Libertarian Party who support minimal government intervention.