Party Systems: Crash Course Government and Politics #41

Summary

This Crash Course Government and Politics episode explores the evolution of American political parties through various party systems, starting from the first post-Constitutional era without organized parties to the current two-party system. It discusses the formation of early parties like Federalists and Democratic-Republicans, the rise of the Whigs and Democrats, and the impact of events like the Civil War and the New Deal on party realignments. The episode also highlights the influence of third parties, despite their lack of electoral success, on shaping political discourse and policy.

Takeaways

• 📜 The history of American political parties is divided into eras known as party systems, with 5 or 6 systems identified by historians.
• 🎖️ George Washington was the first president of the United States, elected without political parties as the framers of the Constitution were wary of factions.
• 🏛️ The first party system emerged post-Washington's presidency, featuring the Federalists, who supported John Adams, and the Democratic-Republicans, who backed Thomas Jefferson.
• 🌐 The Federalists were largely supported by North-Eastern business elites favoring stronger national government ties with England, while the Democratic-Republicans were more skeptical of centralized power and aligned with revolutionary France.
• 🏆 The Democratic-Republicans dominated the early presidential elections with figures like Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe.
• 🤝 The period between 1815 and 1824 was known as 'The Era of Good Feelings' due to the lack of significant national party opposition.
• 🔄 The election of 1824 marked the end of this era and the beginning of the second party system, with the rise of Andrew Jackson and the formation of the Whig party as an anti-Jackson coalition.
• 🎉 The second party system introduced innovations like central party committees, state organizations, and national conventions for candidate nominations.
• 🍺 The Whig party's 1840 campaign featured significant political theater, including the use of a log cabin symbol and the slogan 'Tippecanoe and Tyler too'.
• 🔧 The issue of slavery led to the dissolution of the Whig party, and the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860 marked the beginning of the third party system, dominated by the Republicans and Democrats.
• 🔄 The composition and priorities of the Democratic and Republican parties have shifted over time, with some historians arguing for a sixth party system starting around 1968 due to significant realignments in voter demographics and party affiliations.

Q & A

What is the significance of the 'Era of Good Feelings' in American political history?

The 'Era of Good Feelings' refers to the period between 1815 and 1824 when the Federalist party was no longer a significant factor in national politics, and the Democratic-Republicans were dominant. This era was marked by a sense of national unity and a lack of significant political opposition.

How did the election of 1824 impact the American political party system?

The election of 1824 was bitter and led to John Quincy Adams defeating Andrew Jackson in a contest that was decided by the House of Representatives. Jackson's subsequent claim that the election was a 'corrupt bargain' fueled his victory in the 1828 election and helped to launch the second party system.

What were the key innovations introduced by the Democratic party during the second party system?

The Democratic party, under the leadership of Martin Van Buren, introduced a central party committee, state party organizations, and party newspapers. They also established state and national conventions for nominating candidates, moving away from the caucus system.

Why was the Whig party's campaign in 1840 significant in American political history?

The Whig party's campaign in 1840 was significant because it was the first time a Whig candidate, William Henry Harrison, won the presidency. The campaign introduced political theater elements like parades, log cabin symbolism, and the popular slogan 'Tippecanoe and Tyler too'.

How did the issue of slavery contribute to the downfall of the Whig party?

The issue of slavery was a major point of contention that eventually led to the downfall of the Whig party. The party was unable to reconcile the differing views on slavery among its members, leading to internal divisions and ultimately its collapse.

What was the role of Abraham Lincoln's election in the formation of the third party system?

The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860 as a Republican marked the beginning of the third party system. His victory signified a shift in the political landscape, with the Republican party becoming the dominant force and the Democrats losing their traditional base in the South.

How did the Populist movement influence the Democratic party during the late 19th century?

The Populist movement, formally known as the People's Party, merged with the Democrats after their candidate William Jennings Bryan was nominated in 1896. This merger brought populist ideas into the Democratic party, which helped to solidify support in the South and Midwest.

What were the key components of the New Deal coalition that reshaped the Democratic party in the 1930s?

The New Deal coalition included support from organized labor, union workers, socialists, upper-middle-class intellectuals, Southern farmers, urban immigrants, and African Americans. These groups were attracted by the Democratic party's policies and support during the Great Depression.

Why is the shift in the South's political affiliation from Democratic to Republican considered a significant realignment?

The shift of the South from being solidly Democratic to predominantly Republican is considered a significant realignment because it marked a major change in the political geography of the United States. This shift has had lasting effects on the composition of the two major parties and their respective voter bases.

What is the argument for considering the current political climate as a sixth party system?

The argument for a sixth party system is based on the significant shifts in party support and policy priorities since the 1960s, particularly the realignment of the South towards the Republican party and changes in the Democratic party's coalition, which have created a new political dynamic.