aeltworld.com — activist website

lickety-split links ↓

usa - elections - presidents

<aside> <img src="/icons/info-alternate_gray.svg" alt="/icons/info-alternate_gray.svg" width="40px" /> usa - elections - presidents

political party evolution

Conspectus of the History of Political Parties and the Federal Government

Source: Conspectus of the History of Political Parties and the Federal Government. By Houghton, Walter R. (Walter Raleigh), 1845-1929.

Source: Conspectus of the History of Political Parties and the Federal Government. By Houghton, Walter R. (Walter Raleigh), 1845-1929.

federalist party (1789-1824)

Origins and Ideology: The Federalist Party was the first American political party, founded by Alexander Hamilton. It advocated for a strong national government, a robust executive branch, and a commercial economy.
Key Figures: Alexander Hamilton, John Adams.
Decline: The party declined after the War of 1812 and dissolved after the 1820 election. Its ideas, however, influenced later political movements and parties.

democratic-republican party (1792-1824)

Origins and Ideology: Founded by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison in opposition to the Federalists, it emphasized states' rights, agrarian interests, and limited federal government.
Key Figures: Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe.
Evolution: The party dominated American politics in the early 19th century but eventually split into factions, leading to the formation of the Democratic and Whig parties.

democratic party (1828-present)

Origins and Ideology: Emerged from the Democratic-Republican Party, with Andrew Jackson as a key figure. Initially, it championed the "common man," states' rights, and westward expansion.
19th Century: The party split over slavery, leading to a Southern-dominated faction supporting secession during the Civil War.
20th Century: Transitioned under Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal to advocate for social welfare programs, civil rights, and a more active federal government.
Modern Era: Generally supports progressive policies, including social justice, environmental protection, and government intervention in the economy.

whig party (1833-1856)

Origins and Ideology: Formed in opposition to Andrew Jackson and the Democrats, the Whigs supported Congressional supremacy, modernization, and economic protectionism.
Key Figures: Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, William Henry Harrison.
Decline: Internal divisions over slavery led to the party's collapse, with many former members joining the newly formed Republican Party in the 1850s.

republican party (1854-present)

Origins and Ideology: Founded as an anti-slavery party, it attracted former Whigs, Free Soilers, and anti-slavery Democrats. The early Republican Party supported free soil (no expansion of slavery), free labor, and free men.
19th Century: Dominated post-Civil War politics with a platform of industrialization, high tariffs, and infrastructure development.
20th Century: Shifted towards conservatism, advocating for limited government, free-market policies, and anti-communism.
Modern Era: Generally supports conservative policies, including tax cuts, deregulation, a strong national defense, and traditional social values.

shifts in ideological stances

Federalists to Republicans: The Federalist emphasis on a strong central government can be seen in some aspects of the modern Republican Party's support for a robust national defense and law enforcement, although the parties are quite different in other respects.
Democratic-Republicans to Democrats: The Democratic-Republican emphasis on states' rights and limited government contrasts with the modern Democratic Party's support for federal social programs and regulation.
Whigs to Republicans: The Whig Party's focus on modernization and economic development influenced the early Republican Party, though the modern Republican Party has moved towards more conservative positions.

evolution of party platforms

Over time, both major parties have shifted and realigned, often swapping stances on key issues:

Civil Rights: Democrats, once aligned with the Southern pro-segregation stance, became champions of civil rights from the mid-20th century, while Republicans, initially founded as an anti-slavery party, became more conservative on issues of race and civil rights.
Economic Policies: Republicans, initially the party of industrialization and tariffs, now champion free-market capitalism and deregulation, whereas Democrats, originally agrarian-focused, now support comprehensive social safety nets and regulatory measures to address inequality.

Party	Time Period	Key Figures	Core Ideologies (Historical)	Core Ideologies (Modern)	Overlap with Other Parties
Federalist Party	1789-1824	Alexander Hamilton, John Adams	Strong national government, commercial economy, robust executive branch	Not in Modern Times	Its emphasis on a strong national government and commercial economy can be seen in later policies of the Whig Party and, to some extent, the early Republican Party.
Democratic-Republican Party	1792-1824	Thomas Jefferson, James Madison	States' rights, agrarian interests, limited federal government	Not in Modern Times	Split into factions leading to Democratic and Whig parties.
Democratic Party	1828-present	Andrew Jackson, Franklin D. Roosevelt	Initially states' rights, "common man", agrarian interests; later social welfare, civil rights, active federal government	Progressive policies, social justice, environmental protection, government intervention in economy	Originated from Democratic-Republicans, opposed Whigs; modern contrasts with Republicans.
Whig Party	1833-1856	Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, William Henry Harrison	Congressional supremacy, modernization, economic protectionism	Not in Modern Times	Opposed Jacksonian Democrats; many members joined Republicans after dissolution, carrying forward the Whig emphasis on modernization and economic development. Dissolved due to internal divisions over slavery.
Republican Party	1854-present	Abraham Lincoln, Ronald Reagan	Initially anti-slavery, free soil, free labor; later industrialization, high tariffs; now limited government, free-market policies, strong national defense	Conservative policies, tax cuts, deregulation, traditional social values	Formed from anti-slavery Whigs, Free Soilers Party, and anti-slavery Democrats; contrasts with modern Democrats.

</aside>

<aside> <img src="/icons/archive_blue.svg" alt="/icons/archive_blue.svg" width="40px" /> usa - elections - presidents

usa - elections - presidents

</aside>

<aside> <img src="/icons/archive_blue.svg" alt="/icons/archive_blue.svg" width="40px" /> usa - elections - presidents

Untitled

</aside>

website map:

website map