Two-Party Systems in1840-1978 - Essay Example

Two Party Systems between 1840 to1978 Between 1840 and 1978 several partieswere formed to address the interest of the nationals at the time. Major parties that were formed included the democrats and the Republican. The democrats at the time were referred to as the party of the traditions. Their interest was focused on looking at past matters that were important to the growth of the nation. The Republicans, who were originally the Whigs, formed the party of modernization. They looked at the future of the US; the hope of the people. The Democrats mostly addressed the fears of the American. They were against the idea of the banks and corporations being state legislated as privilege of the economy. They were also against the reforms that were legislated by the state because they had a preference for individual freedom by choice. They majorly favored agricultural farms and independence in the rural areas and the right to ownership of slaves. Their agenda at this time was rapid expansion in territories whether by purchase or war. Their main focus was to progress by external growth. On the other hand during the 1840s period was the Whigs. They too had their political interests. Contrary to the democrats, the Whigs were a party of modernization. They looked into the needs of the future. Their main interest was the hope of the people of America. They strategized the use of federal state governments to spear head the growth of the nation especially the transport and banking sector. (Holt, 30) writes that they facilitated reforms in public schools, prisons and temperance. As opposed to the democrats, they favored free labor, industrial and urban growth. They were opposed to war and favored gradual expansion of territories as opposed to the democrats who favored rapid expansion of territories through conquering and purchase. The candidate that was chosen to run for 1844 elections was called James Birney. He only managed to win 2% of the total votes but managed to get most of the votes from the northern part which was majorly Whig dominated. On the other hand of the opposing party, were the non-abolitionists who opposed the expansion territorial conquering. This party won in 1848 with 10% of the popular vote. Martin Van Buren was the party candidate. However in 1852 they lost half percentage of their support because their candidate had rejected the compromise made in 1850. In 1860, the democrats’ party split when they were defeated in a defending platform concerning slavery. The convention was held in Charleston, South Carolina. (Holt, 34) points out that the Deep South delegates then walked out of the party. On the other hand, the Republicans were overtly more sectional and strongly opposed the slavery raw among the Northerners while favoring Homestead Act, transport improvement and protective tariffs. They however allowed the right of the individuals to be in charge of their own domestic institutions. In the 1860 elections the republicans won by majority of the votes and Abraham Lincoln was the presidential candidate on the third ballot. In the late 1860s, new party political environment emerged. The differences in the party and loyalties were determined on the basis of region, ethnic differences and religion. There was an increased voter turnout for presidential elections with an average of over 77% of the eligible individual voters. Both parties interest was pro-business. (Holt, 36) writes that both the parties were against the idea of economic radicalism reforms instead they both advocated for the currency soundness and supported the existed financial systems to remain unchanged. In addition they all supported the idea of federal governance because the state governance did very little. The republicans dominated the senate while the democrats dominated the representatives’ house. In 1891, the remnants of the Farmers alliance formed the populists. They had a big list of demands such as graduated income tax, government ownership of railways and telephone lines. They also advocated for direct election of the U.S senators. They also proposed the use of referendum, recall and initiative in addressing national matters. In the late 1890s the situation of the farmers improved therefore the party faded. Their political agenda was however not given much consideration by the other parties. (Holt, 39) points out that at the onset of 1900s there was another era in US politics. There were three parties presidents between 1900 and 1920. The first term president was Theodore Roosevelt of the Republican, the second term was William Howard Taft of the Republican and the third term was Woodrow Wilson of the Democrats. The political agenda of the both parties believed that laissez – faire was a system that was obsolete and yet they were supporters of the capitalists. They believed that the corrupt power would only be replaced by the reformed institutions through progress. In both the social, economic and political institutions the parties applied the principles of management science. They used this approach as they saw that the government had the mandate to create order, stability and improvement in the society. It can combat the required interests and work together for the good of the nation, state and the society at large. The progressives viewed other political parties as undemocratic with selfish desires, inefficient, corrupt and outmoded. (Holt, 46) explains that they strategized on increasing the power of the people as a way to diminish the power of the corrupt government. They thought of putting more power in the hands of non-artisans, professional officials and the no elective parties. The progressives preferred most of the populists’ demands such as the need for initiatives, referendum and senators direct elections. These amendments were later incorporated in the US constitution of 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th. In the next era between 1921 1nd 1931, the presidency and the congress were dominant of the Republicans. We had the presidents Harding, Coolidge and Hoover. Their agenda was precisely pro-business. They had new approaches to public policy as an appropriate change of the Americans as there was increased industrialization, urbanization and consumer oriented culture. There were emergent of immigration, race and prohibition conflicts. Another period of 1933 to 1953 awakened a coalition of Democratic Party that ruled the US for two consecutive terms. (Holt, 48) says as the post-World War II period continued, the Democrats had taken the government and advocated federal government to regulate businesses. By 1960s it wanted the roles extended towards social issues like education and urban renewal. This period was extended up to the late 1970s. On the other hand the Republicans were promising to end the Korean War as one of their agenda. In the mid-1970s the Democrats supported environmental legislation in order to control pollution. Women rights were incorporated in their agendas and affirmative action on racial balance taken in though it was opposed by the Republicans. The Southern states began supporting the Republicans as a result of the liberalized social nature of the Democrats. Conservative Christians affluent ethnics and southern whites formed a new right that opposed the liberalized socialites of the Democrats. The New Right Was in support of the Republicans. In conclusion the progressive paths of the US politics between 1840 and 1978 saw major changes in the agendas of the political parties in pursuit of protecting the interest of the state and of the people. The two parties have been involved in strong debates which majority of the presidential wining was taken by the Republicans. This implies that the Republicans had the interest that was favored y the people as opposed to the Democrats. Work Cited Holt, Michael. Political Parties and American Political Development. Journal of American History 4 (2) 23-57, 2006. Read More