Chopra

Joshua Chopra

Professor Dullea

RHET 105

December 8, 2015

The Evolution of the American Political Parties

Americas founding fathers strongly opposed the idea of political parties, however, it seems that

the incorporation of parties into modern day politics was inevitable. Since the 18th century, once the

Federalist and Anti-Federalist parties emerged, there have been two dominant parties in American

politics. The history behind how America eventually became dominated by two political parties is

complex, yet fascinating. From the time the original two parties were formed, both parties have

continuously switched ideologies to keep up with an ever-changing society. The parties have done so in

efforts to gain increased support, and prevail over each other. Overall, the growth of the two parties from

the early 18th century to present day is quite eye opening, because these parties did not always hold the

ideologies that they stand for today.

The Republican Party and the Democratic Party are the main contenders that exist within

Congress and the White House. Although other independent parties are granted the opportunity to run in

elections, history reflects that it is seldom a party other than the Republican Party or Democratic Party

comes to power. The Republican Party and Democratic Party both emerged from the different ideologies

of the Federalists and Anti-Federalists. However, it would be inaccurate to state that either party evolved

directly from the Federalists or Anti-Federalists, since the modern day parties combine select views from

both sides. The Federalists supported British policies, and were led by Alexander Hamilton, the first

Secretary of Treasury in Washingtons Cabinet. The Federalists wanted to get rid of the Articles of

Confederation, and ratify the Constitution in order to create a strong national government. The Federalists

believed that a strong national government was needed to unite the nation, after the traumatic American

Revolution had just taken place. The opposition was the Anti-Federalists, who supported French

ideologies which tended to be more liberal than British ideologies. The Anti-Federalists, led by Patrick
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Henry, Virginias first Governor, wanted to strengthen the Articles of Confederation and were against the

ratification of the Constitution. The Anti-Federalists wanted a Bill of Rights, and believed that by creating

a strong central government, this would threaten the rights of the people and oppress the common man.

Patrick Henrys famous quote, Give me Liberty or give me death! represents the partys viewpoint on

the necessity of freedom. Eventually, in 1788 the Constitution was ratified, and three years later in 1791,

the Bill of Rights was also ratified.

Today, the Democratic Party tends to supports social liberalism, progressive causes, and strong

taxation in order to maintain economic and social stability. A few ideas that Democrats actively endorse

are: welfare programs, abortion rights, marriage equality, and a powerful federal government. The

Republican Party has a different set of ideologies. Also known as the Grand Old Party, the Republican

Party tends to support conservatism, minimal government intervention in economical affairs, and low

taxes. To fully understand why each party stands for certain beliefs and how each party became molded

into its present day form, an analysis of historical events is necessary. A detailed study of American

history from the 18th to the 20th century may expose the possibility that over time, each party observed

economical and social needs, and began to cater to these in order to gain political representation.

The Anti-Federalist Party who believed in a weak central government, laissez-faire policy, and

state power over federal power, evolved into the Democratic-Republicans, which eventually lead to the

modern day Democratic Party. On the contrary, the Federalist Party led to the creation of the Whig Party

later known as the early Republican Party. However, the modern day Republican Party represents

ideologies derived from the Anti-Federalist Party. The Anti-Federalist Party began to shift towards

Andrew Jacksons views and became the Jacksonian Democrats. Philip J Lampi, a historian and scholar,

analyzes and discusses the key viewpoints held by the Federalists. Lampi says, Federalists favored a

strong central government, a financial system that promoted merchant capitalism, and a pro-British

foreign policy (258). Due to the contrasting viewpoints of the two parties, it is evident why the two

parties are competitors. Professor Yonatan Eyal, author and Harvard Ph.D graduate, examined the
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historical growth of the Democratic party. Eyal refers to the early Democrats as the Young Democrats

and says, In short, the Young America Democracy was a generationally conscious group that made its

party evolve toward new financial thinking, though they remained loyal to the Democracy because of

various other, noneconomic commitments (248). The Jacksonian Democrats were resistant to fiscal

changes, and were fearful of the federal government gaining too much power. Eyal says that Jacksonian

Democrats tried to keep control by, Opposing federal subsidies for internal improvements, challenging

the prevalence of banks and exclusive corporate charters, and insisting on a sparingly administered

federal government exercising expressly delegated powers (248).

However, as time went by the ideologies of the Jacksonian Democratic party began to change.

When the Panic of 1837 hit, it was evident that changes must occur to keep the country afloat. As Eyal

says, Free trade was always an important factor for the Jacksonian Democrats and especially during the

years 1837-1843, Free trade seemed more important than before, as the volume of exchange with other

countries increased and Democrats began to be particularly concerned with commercial prosperity (250).

When the state of the economy became a concern, leaders of the Democratic Party attempted to come up

with solutions. Richard Hofstadter, a 20th century historian and author, speaks about the ideas that leaders

of the Jacksonian Democratic Party proposed during this time. John C. Calhoun, a former leader in the

Jacksonian Democratic Party, proposed policies regarding votes on economic interests along with a veto

system. This was a liberal approach, and Hofstadter refers to Calhouns proposal and says that Calhouns

idea was essentially, Insisting that government must be carried on not by a mere preponderance of

individuals, a numerical majority, but by a concurrent majority, a concert of major economic interests

each of which would have the right to veto acts of the federal government (qtd. in Hofstadter 246).

Calhouns viewpoint demonstrates the ideology of the Jacksonian Democratic Party at the time, and

shows how economic prosperity along with minimal federal government power, were trademark beliefs of

the party. To Calhouns dismay, his proposal was dismissed by Andrew Jackson.
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The Jacksonian Democratic Party continued to grow into the early Democratic party, and during

this time, slavery became a heated debate around the country. The modern day Democratic Party

advocates for civil rights, and equality for people of all races and backgrounds. However, during the 19th

century, the early Democrats were unclear on the stance they took regarding slavery. John Gerring, a

Professor at Boston University, addresses the Democratic views on slavery during the 19th century.

Gerring says, Neither before, during, nor after the Civil War did the party ever explicitly condone the

institution of slavery (734). This may give the untrue perception that the Democratic Party opposed

slavery. Gerring continues, While Whig and early Republican politicians in the North frequent[l]y

declared their personal abhorrence of slavery, similar sentiments are virtually impossible to discover

among Democratic election statements, either in the north or south This raises questions, because if the

early Democrats did not believe in slavery, they should have explicitly stated it like their Republican

counterparts did. Although the Republicans spoke of opposing slavery, when the Civil War began, the

newly found Republican Party quickly took sides with the large, influential corporations who supported

the party. Therefore, despite the fact that the Republican Party was not necessarily pro-slavery, the party

did not openly advocate for equal rights for minorities in American society. However, during the war

Abraham Lincoln portrayed the image that the Republicans were against slavery, and eventually this led

to the Emancipation Proclamation. Lincolns actual motives behind freeing the slaves were to gain

support from minority groups to ensure his policies were passed in accordance to Republican Party

desires.

Regarding early Democratic views on slavery, Gerring brings up a key point and says, Indeed,

repeated statements of Democrats to the effect that slavery should be kept off the political agenda

constituted a more than implicit defense of the institution (734). By avoiding the issue of slavery and not

addressing it, this shows that the Democrats did not consider slavery a prominent issue. Therefore, one

may deduce that the party was in fact not opposed to slavery. However, during the Democratic State

Convention, representatives of the Democratic Party made strong statements regarding slavery in
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Washington D.C. Gerring acknowledges this and quotes a speech from the convention, As for the

abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia, it would tend to produce in the [slaveholding sections of

the population] a degree of uneasiness and excitement, which would disturb the feelings of harmony now

happily subsisting between the different states of the Union (734). This statement from the convention

shows that the Democrats acknowledged that slavery was not ideal, but they were willing to turn a blind

eye. Eventually, the Democratic Party progressed to fit popular opinion by advocating for increased

involvement from the federal government, and for equal rights for all people. Thomas R. Rochon,

President of Ithaca College, and Ravi Roy, a Professor at Southern Utah University, observed the major

changes in the Democratic Party over the late 19th and early 20th century. Rochon and Roy both agree that

there were, Two defining moments in the Democratic Party over the past hundred years and the two

conclude that these defining moments were, The party realignments that involved the populist movement

in the 1880s and 1890s, and the construction of the New Deal coalition in the 1930s (12). During the late

1800s when the economy began to prosper, the Democratic Party continued to transform. Rochon and

Roy both mention that The primary concern was the (claimed) erosion of effective democracy in the face

of the emergence of big finance and big industry (13). The party did not want the country to lose the

democratic element it is famous for, so political reform began to take place. The Populist Party saw an

opportunity to seize power, and soon became competition to the Democratic Party. The Populists began to

propose new policies that were in favor of civil rights. Rochon and Roy both continue on to say,

Reforms championed by the populists included democratization of the political process through direct

election of senators, use of the secret ballot, womens suffrage, and the initiative and referendum at the

state level (13). In efforts to eliminate the competition posed by the Populist Party, the Democrats

attempted to elect a Populist President, William Jennings Brian, to gain increased support and more

voters. However, Rochon and Roy both say that The effect on the Democratic Party for the next

generation was to cement its reputation as the party of the common man founded specifically on an

alliance of workers and small farmers (13). This was a step towards the modern day Democratic Party,

that exists to represent the common man.

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In the 1940s, the Republicans refused to support the Fair Employment Practices Commission, but

this was because the party had financial supporters who were opposed to equal rights for minorities. This

demonstrates a key similarity to the modern day Republican Party, which is backed by large corporations

and independent wealthy donators. Kathleen Bawn, Martin Cohen, David Karol, Seth Masket, Hans Noel,

and John Zaller analyze the changes in the ideology of the Democratic and Republican parties. Bawn et

al. reference a quote from the House Speaker, a Republican, Joe Martin. Martin had personal sympathy

for the FEPC but he says, Ill be frank with you: we are not going to pass a FEPC bill, but it has nothing

to do with the Negro vote This statement immediately raises flags, because it shows the party may have

ulterior motives. Martin continues on to say, We are supported by New England and Middle Western

industrialists who would stop their contributions if we passed a law that would compel them to stop

religious as well as racial discrimination in employment (qtd. in Bawn et al. 580). So based on this

statement, one may deduce that the Republican Party primarily makes decisions based on the funding the

party receives, rather than based on the good of the country.

Following the Gilded Age, the Democratic Party seemed to change their views on civil rights and

saw an opportunity to gain votes from minorities, and quickly capitalized. By almost midway through the

20th century, the Democratic Party began to address the civil rights issue, and Bawn et al. state that

Liberal activists and union leaders in the Democratic Party began pressuring their party to stand up for

civil rights (580). The Democratic Party indeed began to stand up for civil rights, and started to gain

support from minorities in the country. During the time of Franklin D. Roosevelts presidency, the New

Deal was passed. As Hofstatder says, When the war came, bringing with it a great change in the political

militancy and the bargaining power of the Negroes, Roosevelt acceded to Negro demands for the Fair

Employment Practices Order of 1941 only with the greatest reluctance and under the threat of a Negro

march on Washington (252). Due to the adaption of policies based on minority views, one may deduce

that the Democratic Party did not necessarily support minority rights, but rather the party was forced into

implementing such policies in order to gain votes and avoid chaos. During the 20th century many liberal
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programs were passed such as the Social Security Act which helped financially support elderly people

through government tax money. The Fair Labor Standards Act which set a standard for 40 working hours

a week was also established, along with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation that insures money in

banks across the country. The Democratic Party continued to evolve and became more supportive of

liberal viewpoints on key issues, to gain support from a wide variety of voters. This progression is what

brought the party to its present day position, on the left end of the spectrum.

The Republican Party, commonly known for conservatism, is on the right side of the spectrum

and also greatly evolved over time. Aspects of the Federalists can clearly be seen in modern day

Republicans, such as capitalism policies. The Anti-Federalists differed from the Federalists, and Lampi

examines the Anti-Federalists, also known as the Democratic-Republicans, and says, Democratic-

Republicans insisted on the primacy of state governments within the federal system, the agrarian base of a

republican polity, and a pro-French foreign policy (259). One policy the modern day Republicans share

with the old Democratic-Republicans was the belief in having strong state governments. The Federalist

Party started to slowly lose power, Lampi discusses this and says, Federalists now controlled only five

state legislatures and seven governorships. In 1804, their voter support continued to dissipate. Federalists

now dominated only three legislatures and five governorshipsall in New England except for one. Their

decline in Congress was even more striking. Eventually years later, the Federalist Party showed signs of

life, but during this time period it seemed that the party was becoming irrelevant. Lampi addresses the

situation that took place during this time and says, The Federalists, in other words, rapidly appeared to

be nearing the verge of extinction (259).

To regain support and representation in Congress, the Federalist party underwent reform. Similar

to how the Anti-Federalists evolved into the Jacksonian Democrats, the Federalists evolved over time and

became the Whig Party. John R. Bartle, a Professor at the University of Nebraska, highlights key views of

the Whig party and explains how the party grew over time. Bartle refers to the Whig Party and early

Republican Party and says, These groups generally favored the Bank of the United States, economic
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protectionism through tariffs and import quotas, stable currency, and internal transportation

improvements (Remini, 1963, pp. 15-16) (345). The Whig Party was very focused on fiscal policies, the

expansion of railroads along, and a stable currency. Overall, the partys views were centered around

maintaining a strong economy. By showing the countrys voter population that the Republican Party was

capable of strengthening the economy this helped the party gain support. Bartle discusses Lincoln and his

role in the Whig Party and says, During this period Abraham Lincoln was active in Illinois politics as a

Whig, and an attorney; his clients often included railroads (345). During the mid 1860s, Lincoln and his

supporters fought to gain freedom for the slaves, but this was in efforts to increase the partys voter base,

and promote Republican representation in politics.

The Whig Party tended to emphasize the fact that reliance on imported goods were ruining the

economy, Barte addresses this and says the Whig Party, Argued that domestic markets were

insufficiently developed due to dependence on British imports (346). People who opposed previous

British rule and were concerned about the countrys fiscal policies, leaned towards the Republican Party.

The Whig Party also believed in higher taxes in order to stabilize the economy and create job

opportunities. Although the modern day Republican Party actively seeks to promote economic growth,

this Whig Party taxation approach is now a tax policy adapted by the modern day Democrats. The modern

day Republican Party trademark business views began with the Whig Party. The Whig Party focused on

market stimulation and as Barte says, This effort to manage the economy for the benefit of commercial

and labor interests is the hallmark of the Whig approach (346). The modern day Republican Party holds

similar views to the Whig Party in the sense that modern day Republicans are very focused on

commercial and industrial growth, and believe that a strong economy with prospering industries will lead

to a successful nation. During the 1830s, the Bank War took place. This was not an actual war; however,

it was a chaotic political situation in which the Andrew Jackson administration tried to get rid of the

Second Bank of the United States. The Whig Party which was progressing into the Republican Party,

supported the Second Bank and obviously opposed Jacksons actions. It seemed that the money issue
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dogged American politics from the end of the Civil War until World War I (Barte 346). The Civil War

began, and the money issue was evident when the newly found Republican Party quickly took sides with

the large, influential corporations who supported the party. After the Civil War, the country was socially

and economically unstable. It became evident that a solution to this financial and social turmoil was

needed. To keep the country alive, the two parties had to come to an agreement. As Barte says, The

establishment of the Federal Reserve System was a great compromise (346). By the 1940s, the

Republicans Partys views regarding race and civil rights changed greatly. The party also was now in

favor for lower taxes, Republican members of Congress began turning racially conservative in the

1940snot in order to attract new voters, but to satisfy business concerns that anti-discrimination

legislation would bring unwelcome federal interference in the marketplace (580). Essentially, the

Republican Partys views and beliefs changed, based on how to attract new voters. However, The

Republican Party remained opposed to lynching and other manifestations of Jim Crow. But when civil

rights conflicted with the interests of a core policy demander, the party stood with the policy demander

(580). This is a reflection of some of the ideologies of the modern Republican Party, which shows that the

Republicans will stand with the views of key supporters of the party, even if the Republican Party doesnt

necessarily agree with the policy demanders views. By the 1990s abortion rights started to gain attention

from the public, and political parties. In three case studies, Marty Cohen found that pro-life Republican

were elected to Congress in the early 1990s because morally conservative activists challenged

economically conservative country club Republicans in congressional primaries and won (581).

Therefore, the Republican Party saw it conducive to endorse candidates who had similar views to activist

leaders. The ideologies of the Republican Party have not changed much since the end of the 20th century,

thus these ideologies have molded the party into what it is today.

The two political parties that dominate America today are based upon ideologies that are derived

from a variety of viewpoints, some of which that have existed for over 200 years. These ideologies have

changed with time and society, and the two parties have existed in different forms as contenders since the
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18th century. The Federalist Party progressed into the Whig Party, and then into the Republican Party.

Certain views of the Federalist and Whig Party can be seen in the modern day Democratic Party, such as

the desire for a strong central government, high taxes, and government intervention in the economy. The

Anti-Federalist Party evolved into the Democratic-Republicans and then into the Jacksonian Democrats.

There are views in the Anti-Federalist Party that are reflected in the modern day Republican Party, such

as the desire for a stronger state government than federal government, minimal taxes, and a laissez-faire

economic policy which calls for minimum government intervention in the economy. The early

Democratic Party did not consider civil rights a priority, and did not directly oppose slavery, and the early

Republican Party did not oppose the civil rights movement and was clear in the partys stance against

slavery. Today, the modern day Democratic Party which is considered liberal, advocates for equal rights

regardless of race, gender, and sexuality. The party also represents the common man, and believes the

government exists to serve and help the people. The Republican Party is more popular among business

people, conservatives, and wealthy, white individuals. Most Republicans believe in enacting policies that

promote free trade, economic stimulation, and economic competition between businesses. Modern day

Republicans tend to advocate for tax relief in order to create jobs. One may be able to deduce that over

time the parties have switched platforms and picked up different ideologies, based on societys needs,

views of activist parties, desires of policy demanders, along with intentions of appealing to potential

voters.
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