What are Political Parties Political Parties A political

What are Political Parties?

Political Parties • A political party is a group of people wanting to take hold and maintain power within government

Why have Political Parties? • People naturally like to join a team, a group, and simply band together with common interests • From the beginning of US History, people had different opinions about how the country should be run • They then grouped together based on their opinions

• Each political party believes THEY are right, so they want the country to be run THEIR way!

Where did Political Parties start in the United States? • During George Washington’s 2 terms as President, many people criticized him and is policies. Those people that did not favor Washington were generally bigger fans of Thomas Jefferson. • This caused a divide in the public people in who they favored.

• George Washington warned the people not to have political parties because it would divide the nation. • Others agreed that it was simply natural to disagree with certain issues and then band together

The First Two Political Parties • Federalists: • • Led by Alexander Hamilton Supported changing the Constitution Supported Washington Liked having a strong federal government Favored Britain over France because they thought France was unstable More interested in banking and shipping interests Had more supporters in the North and wealthy plantation owners

• Alexander Hamilton liked a representative to help rule the people because: • “The people are turbulent and changing…. They seldom judge or determine right. ”

Republicans (or Democratic. Republicans) • • • Led by Thomas Jefferson Wanted a limited federal government. They thought it might take away people’s liberties They favored the French, disliked the British Disliked Washington and favored Thomas Jefferson and James Madison Favored by farmers and urban workers Favored state banks

• Thomas Jefferson was scared of having the government have too much control: • “I am not among those who fear the people; they, and not the rich, are our dependence [what we depend on] for continued freedom”

So what about Democrats and Republicans today? • If you were to relate the Federalists and Republicans to our political parties today…. Federalists= Republicans=Democrats • Weird, I know…. it happened 1860 -1930 ish. Slowly… over.

So what about Republicans & Democrats today? • The Republicans are represented by the elephant and the color red • The Democrats are represented by the donkey and the color blue

• The first time Democrats were symbolized as a donkey is when Andrew Jackson (Democrat) ran as president. His opponents called him a donkey because of his stubborn, strong-willed personality.

• The first time Republicans were symbolized as an elephant was in a popular newspaper, cartoonist Thomas Nast drew a cartoon representing Republicans as an elephant and included Donkey in Lion’s skin scaring the elephant.

What do Republicans and Democrats believe?

Marijuana • Republicans: Marijuana should be illegal • We should not allow a drug that causes damage to the body/brain to be legal because it will be easier to obtain. If it were legal, it would tell people it was okay to use. • Democrats: Marijuana should be legal • The drug can be taxed and use that money for government programs. Government should not tell you how to control your body. You can better track the use of it. Lower crime rates.

Military • Republicans: Have a larger military • If we are a strength to the world against evil, we can be the most help in the world. We can better protect ourselves. We will appear more intimidating to hostile groups from other countries • Democrats: do not increase spending on military • We should not imply our own principles in other countries. The spending takes away from our own issues. We should only focus on ourselves. • We should be more Interested in peace.

Gay Marriage • Republicans: Gay marriage should be illegal • Marriage is between a man and a woman • Moderate Republicans are against gay marriage but think the couples should still have full benefits (hospitalization visits, sharing insurance, etc) • Democrats: Gay marriage should be legal • No one can define a marriage • Gay couples should receive the same benefits as any married couple

Gun control Republicans: Weaker gun control laws - Guns have always been our right to protect ourselves since the beginning of our country’s history in the 2 nd Amendment. We have a right to protect ourselves. Most crimes do not involve guns anyways Democrats: Stricter gun control laws -Guns are dangerous and it should be more difficult to obtain a gun and different kinds of guns. If we had fewer guns there would be less crime. Most democrats want more gun control (not taking everyone’s guns away).

Death Penalty • Republicans: Keep the Death Penalty • Our jails are already full, it costs a LOT of money for each in-mate to house/feed for their whole lives. That money could be used for better purposes. Extreme killers that are never coming out anyway. Democrats: Get rid of the Death Penalty - No one should be able to control the life or death of another. That’s not our decision to make. Allow people with a life-sentence to live the rest of their life in jail

Abortion Republicans: Pro-Life - Life begins right away and you do not have the right to end that life. If the baby has the opportunity to have a life, it is not your decision to end it. Look into adoption if you cannot afford the baby - Moderate Republicans believe it’s okay in cases of rape or incest. • Democrats: Pro-Choice • Women should be able to choose what to do with their bodies. If they want an abortion, no one should be able to tell you that you can’t. Some people are not ready/prepared to raise a child

Taxes Republicans: -Everyone should have fewer taxes. You decide when and where to help out with charity, not the government. It’s your paycheck. Besides, many wealthy people had to pay a lot of money and time in school to make the money they do. • Democrats: • Richer people should pay more taxes to help out the less fortunate and help with government programs. Some people are less fortunate and stuck unable to make more money for their families

Other Political Parties

Green party • #1 Importance is focused on a healthy environment and promote harmony with nature • Clean energy/ renewable resources • Limit waste/protect animals • Fairness for all citizens (feminism & diversity) • Empower non-profit leaders (organizations that’s work to improve the world) • Promote healthier eating and exercise • Encourage smart cars, bicycles and buses/trains to lower air pollution • Lower global warming dangers • Law equality for all (supports same-sex marriage) • Ban factory farming (encourage eating of non-animal products)

Libertarian • VERY limited government power (People should have MOST power) • Do not allow the government to censor the media & do not allow the government to help or attack any religion • Strongly believe in 4 th Amendment • Marriage should be for everyone (government cannot define marriage) • Abortion should be woman’s choice (government stays out of the decision) • Right to own a gun • Government should stay out of businesses (let the people buy and sell as they please without any regulations or laws) • Strong views on protecting the environment • There should be no income tax (any debt the government has should be their responsibility)

Constitution Party • Same as the Tea Party, but the Constitution Party is legally recognized • Stricter immigration laws (stricter laws against illegal immigration) • Keep same principles from our original Constitution • Eliminate taxes • Use money from the Department of Education & Health and Human Services to help pay off debt • Against foreign aide • Stay out of foreign affairs • Against abortion & euthanasia • Against same-sex marriage • Government cannot raise taxes for charity, that should be your choice • Less strict gun laws • End income tax

Socialist • radical democracy that places people's lives under their own control • full employment is realized for everyone who wants to work • Labor and trade unions are very important! • People will cooperate with each other at work, home and community • Freedom and equality for all • No bigotry, sexism, racism, homophobia, etc. • International Peace

Conservative • America is the best • Love their guns • Deportation for those who are here illegally (and their children) • Get rid of “Obamacare” • But make healthcare more affordable • US Constitution is the supreme law • Cut funding to education • Stop bailouts for companies • Cut funding to the arts

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Isidewith. com • Take the quiz the best you can • If you’re not sure what something means press “learn more” • DO NOT EXIT WHEN YOU’RE DONE • In you packet write down the information it asks AND go back to page 2 -3 and mark yourself on the political spectrum we drew

Make sure you: 1. Write down the parties you with match with (JUST THE ONES WITH SYMBOLS) 2. Write down the parties you side with by issues (just 1 -2 parties, you can also choose just the parties not the groups) 3. Find yourself on the political spectrum and mark it