WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF THE POLITICAL PARTIES IN AMERICA?
America has been a democracy with a two-party system for many years. There may be more than two political parties representing various opinions and theories of government. There are two major parties; they are known as the Republican Party and the Democratic Party. Voters may change their minds and vote for one of the party members in one election and another member of a different party in a different election. One group of people believed strongly in giving power to the individual states, but believed very strongly in central government. These people were known as Federalists. Another group believed strongly in individual states, but believed differently in central government. This group is known as Anti- Federalists or Democratic -Republicans. The Democratic Party is the oldest political party still in existence today. In 1834, a new party was made.This group was known as the "Whig Party" and their main purpose was to oppose what was called Jacksonian Democracy.The "Jacksonian Democracy" began with former president Andrew Jackson in 1824. During the 1850's support for the Whig Party began to fall apart. Some of the Whig members and other democrats joined together and formed the Republican Party. ARepublican, Abraham Lincoln was the first president to be elected in the Republican Party. Quite a few people from the Republican Party left their party in 1884 and formed their own party. They became known as the “Mugwumps.” Yet another party was formed during the mid-nineteenth century. They were patriots who were opposed to immigration and the possible threats immigrants might bring to America. They called themselves the “Know-Nothing Party.” Over the years different political groups have been formed, but most quickly disappeared. Some of the groups have stayed around longer, but they have had little success in the actual elections.