The document outlines four major eras of the two-party system in American history: 1. The Era of the Democrats from 1800-1860 which saw the Democratic party dominate until the Civil War. 2. The Era of the Republicans from 1860-1932 where the Republican party gained control after the Civil War and held the presidency for 75 years. 3. The Return of the Democrats from 1932-1968 when Franklin Roosevelt was elected amid the Great Depression and the Democratic party regained power until the 1960s. 4. The Modern Era from 1968-present with a more divided government and the parties alternating control of the presidency.

1. Two Party System in American History Chapter 5 Section 3

2. Four Major Eras Era of the Democrats: 1800-1860 (13 of 15) Era of the Republicans: 1860-1932 (14 of 18) Return of the Democrats: 1932-1968 (7 of 9) Modern Era: 1968-Present (Divided government) 1969-1974: Republicans 1975-1980: Democrat 1981-1992: Republican 1993-2000: Democrat 2001-2008: Republican

3. Early Parties Federalists (Led by A. Hamilton) Anti-Federalists (Led by Jefferson) Later called “Democratic-Republicans” Became “Democratic Party” in 1828 Election of 1796 John Adams (Federalist) defeats Jefferson by 3 electoral college votes Jefferson & Madison rebuild Democratic-Republican Party; defeat incumbent Adams in 1800

4. Era of the Democrats Democratic party dominated until the Civil War Federalist party goes bust in 1816 “ Era of Good Feeling” Party split into factions during 1820s Andrew Jackson’s coalition South & West Small farmers, debtors, pioneers, & slaveholders Whig party rose in opposition to Jackson Led by Henry Clay, Daniel Webster Coalition of bankers, merchants, & industrialists, large plantation owners North & East

5. Harrison Taylor Whig Presidents

6. Era of the Republicans 1850s- Parties divided by slavery Republican party founded in 1854; ran first presidential candidate in 1856. Elected first president in 1860 (Lincoln) Republicans dominate presidency for 75 years Coalition of businessmen, farmers, and newly freed African Americans Election of 1896 Republicans regain presidency after loss in 1892 After big loss, Democrats begin positioning themselves as champions of the “little man.”

7. Era of the Republicans

8. Election of 1912 Republicans renominated incumbent Prez Taft Former prez & former Republican Teddy Roosevelt form Progressive Party Republicans divided; Dem Woodrow Wilson wins presidency

9. Return of the Democrats 1932- Franklin Delano Roosevelt elected promising to help Americans through Great Depression “ New Deal Coalition” - southerners, small farmers, organized labor, big-city political machines, white ethnics Re-elected 3 times by large margins VP Truman succeeded FDR Republican Eisenhower wins in 1952 Kennedy (1960-1963) and Johnson (1964-1968)

10. Return of the Democrats

11. A New Era Election of 1968- Democratic Party torn apart by Vietnam War & civil rights Republican Nixon defeats Dem Hubert Humphrey Democrats lose hold on South Nixon reelected in 1972, forced to resign in 1974 1976- Jimmy Carter elected 1980- Ronald Reagan elected—New Republican era? 1992- Maybe not—Dem Bill Clinton elected

12. The New Era