Interest groups attempt to influence government through lobbying and advocacy on issues important to their members. They communicate with politicians and use tools like money, gifts, and propaganda to sway decision making. Political parties seek to attain political power by participating in elections. They often support certain ideologies and represent subgroups with differing interests. The major US parties are the Republican Party, considered more socially and economically conservative, and the Democratic Party, considered more socially liberal and economically interventionist.

1. Interest Groups and Political Parties What are the differences between the Democrats and the Republicans? What are political parties important in an democracy?

6. Presidential election Results

11. Ideology

14. US Parties: First Party System (before 1824) American Revolution Federalist Founded by Hamilton Supported strong central government Anti federalist Founded by Jefferson Supported more state autonomy Also known as the Republicans Jackson split into a Democratic party Adams remained in the Republican party, but latter called the Whigs Hamiltonian vision for modernizing the United States

21. Cartoon

24. National Convention

27. Role of the Citizen