Political parties are associations of voters who want to influence government decision making by electing candidates to public office. They form to promote specific issues or change society in major ways. While the two major parties seem similar because they take moderate positions, they differ on individual planks of their platforms, which outline what the party will do if elected.

2. 9-1 DEFINING
What are political parties?
http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/usgovern
mentandlaw/politicalparties/
Associations of voters with common interests
who want to influence decision making in
government by electing their candidates to
public office.

3. 9-1 EXPLAINING
Why did George Washington not want political
parties to form?
http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/ushistory/
politicalpartyorigins/
He believed parties would be a source of conflict
that could tear the nation apart.

4. 9-1 DESCRIBING
Why do single-issue parties form?
To promote a social, economic, or moral issue.

5. 9-1 EXPLAINING
What is the goal of ideological parties?
To change society in major ways.

6. 9-1 EXPLAINING
Why do the two major parties seem so similar?
Because they take moderate positions to attract
large numbers of voters.

7. 9-1 COMPARING
What is the difference between a platform and a
plank?
A platform tells voters what the party will do if
voters elect them into office. A plank is each
individual part of the platform.

8. 9-2 SUMMARIZING
What does a political party’s national committee
do?
It helps raise funds for presidential elections and
organizes the party’s national convention.

9. 9-2 DESCRIBING
How has the nomination of presidential candidates
changed over the years?
In the past, delegates decided on the candidate. Now,
primary elections are used to narrow down the
candidates and the nomination is already
determined by the time of the convention.
http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/usgovernment
andlaw/primariesandcaucuses/

10. 9-2 EXPLAINING
What is the job of a precinct captain?
To organize party volunteers during campaigns
and encourage voters on election day.

11. 9-2 EVALUATING
Why does the county chairperson have so much
political influence in the county?
Because they build grassroots support and the
governor or senator may consult them for
advice on the appointment of public officials.

12. 9-2 CONCLUDING
Why is it important to build grassroots support for
a party?
Grassroots support is at the community level and
lets local party leaders see what issues are
important to voters so they can affect voters.

13. 9-2 EXPLAINING
How are political machines generally viewed
today?
Today they are considered harmful and
unresponsive to the community’s needs when
in power too long. Political leaders might
become less concerned with the voters when
they do not have to worry about reelection.

14. 9-3 IDENTIFYING
Who selects the candidates for public office?
Political parties

15. 9-3 DESCRIBING
What happens during direct primaries?
Voters choose candidates to represent each party
in a general election.

16. 9-3 CONTRASTING
What is the difference between an open and
closed primary?
Only declared members of a party may vote in a
closed primary. Anyone may vote in an open
primary.

17. 9-3 EXPLAINING
What is the purpose of a runoff primary?
To select a candidate when none of the candidates
receive the majority of the vote. When this
happens, the top two candidates run again in a
runoff.

18. 9-3 EVALUATING
How are party ties instrumental in helping
different levels and branches of government
cooperate?
Because the public officials are from the same
party they are likely to have similar goals and
ideas and may join forces to fight a common
problem.

19. 9-3 EXPLAINING
Why do parties out of power act as watchdogs?
The monitor and criticize the party in power in
hopes of attracting voters in future elections.

20. POLITICAL BELIEFS – WHERE DO YOU STAND?
http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/usgovern
mentandlaw/politicalbeliefs/