Preview

The Two-Party System

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
599 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
The Two-Party System
By definition, “a two-party system is a political system in which two strong and established parties compete for political offices” (Sidlow & Henschen p.146). The Democrats and the Republicans make up our two party system. Some may wonder why the United States has only Democrats and Republicans as their political parties and if there is an opportunity for other parties. There are many factors that are considered relevant in the conjunction of the existence of the two-party system. Likewise, there are some major consequences of having a two-party system. Historically, the Founders of the United States did not anticipate a two-party system, unlike important institutions. In fact, they rejected the notion for political parties. Political parties

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    Another reason why we have a two system party is most public officials in the United States are chosen in a single-member district. This means whoever wins the majority vote is the only party represented in that district. This makes it hard for third parties to get their hat in the race because they have to fight with these two strong parties and they don’t have a chance to get their name out enough. The Democrats and Republicans are very different, you could say that they are as different as left and right. Without a third party they have a 50/50 chance of winning. When they win they can make laws that their party wants them to make. These two parties don’t want any interference from a third party because when the election is close third party could mess everything up.…

    • 1198 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Dividing a Nation The period of 1820-1840 was a very exciting time of growth in America. America was becoming more independent in its thinking and also in the way that its politics worked. There were many things that contributed to the reemergence of a two party system in the period of 1820-1840. The major political personalities were a major contributor. By using their influence on the people and their influence in the government, many men were able to help bring about the two different parties and to influence the views of each party. States rights was another major issue that helped to establish a two party system. Conflicts and disputes over the rights of the states ultimately brought about the rise of political parties by creating a division in the views of states and their people.…

    • 588 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the period of 1820 -1840 a two party system began to form for several reasons including major political personalities as well as economic issues. Conflicts began to surface during this time period, which contributed to the reemergence of a two party system.…

    • 982 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Two Party System DBQ

    • 1036 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Despite the fact the founding fathers advised contrary to the establishment of political factions as the Constitution withstood the ratification process, a rift amongst men in President George Washington’s cabinet instituted the move toward the conception of political party. During the time period between 1791 and 1833, a two-party system had begun that demonstrated the philosophy of the Federalists and Democratic-Republicans. Although these two political groups were unyielding in their original ideas and beliefs, both had to change a few of their initial standpoints on numerous topics as they dealt with the truth of the government.…

    • 1036 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    American populace was partitioned to two groups. One group comprises of the federalists who were living in the north. Their advantage was in favor of the merchants, ship-owners, and the industrialist. They are currently known as the Democrat party. The North was experiencing a modern upset and Democratic Party was supportive of this change. The Second group comprises of the anti-federalists, who were living in the south and were in light of a legitimate concern for state and farmers right. They are presently known as the republican. History of the Americans demonstrates that the two political vested parties had/have their own particular thoughts. Those thoughts were planted to the most youthful era by the…

    • 312 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    huge effect on the separation of Political support as they tried to involve states rights. All…

    • 308 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    The founders hoped to avoid factions in the government which was the equivalent of the political parties which came into being. The founding fathers goal would become unachievable during George Washington’s presidency which would mark the beginning of the two party systems. This system began with Alexander Hamilton, a Federalist, was the Secretary of the Treasury and the antifederalists who became known as the democratic republicans led by Jefferson. Political parties were very important in the evolution of the way the united states governed itself due to the fact that people with shared economic and cultural goals joined together to influence policy decisions in America. These parties were able to back candidates for certain positions. Once…

    • 1316 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The History and Role of Third Parties in the United States For almost two centuries has the political party system of the United States been under a two-party system. The Democratic Party, founded in 1828 by Andrew Jackson, and the Republican Party, founded 1854 by anti-slavery activists, members of the upper class, and former members of the defunct Whig Party, have dominated the two party system since their establishment. The two-party system of the United States was not intended by the founding fathers because they did not desire the political system to be partisan, but by the around the beginning of the 19th century, the emergence of a proto two party system began to develop between the Federalist Party of Alexander Hamilton and the Democratic-Republican Party of Thomas Jefferson over the issue of the federal government’s power. Gradually, this system developed into the modern political two-party system of the United States as it…

    • 549 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Our first president George Washington was a wise man and didn’t believe in political parties. He thought political parties would split apart the country and make government a competition instead of a place to serve the people. Although, inevitably the first political parties were made, the Federalists and Democratic-Republicans. The original political parties in America had very different views on many topics including their interpretation of the Constitution.…

    • 434 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Because of this, parties naturally form. In the United States, the formation can be traced to before The Constitution and the dispute over strong versus weak government, and continued to develop through the early years of the new government. Once the Constitution was established debates arose on several fronts. Whether it was through financial planning, distribution of power, or potentially unlawful treaties, tensions between the ideals of the two groups were enflamed. Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson were often so polarized that coming to compromises could be difficult, much to the chagrin of others, including Washington. However, they cannot be completely credited with forming the two-party system. Other politicians contributed, and at times the division was just the natural product of the circumstance. Also, they are not entirely the reason the system has persevered over time. Instead, the nature of elections in the United States have caused the two-party system to be maintained. All this being said, whether Hamilton and Jefferson are entirely to blame, they also proved that dissension is not always bad. It allows for different ideas to be heard and compromises to be made. Through their disagreements they produced innovation that has shaped the nation. This party system, though it has shifted and swapped over the years, still stands. The effects of these men run so deep that…

    • 1538 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    dbq essay

    • 438 Words
    • 2 Pages

    In present-day times, the American political system is most frequently associated with the ongoing issues between political parties. Two major political parties that formed during the 1790s were The Democratic-Republicans (Anti Federalist party) led by Thomas Jefferson, and the Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton. But several years ago these political parties did not exist and many of the leaders were pleased they didn’t. George Washington warned America’s people of the dangers of these separate parties in “The Farewell Address” an excerpt as shown in Document 4. He believed that political parties would divide our country and kindle animosity. Even though many tried to oppose them, political parties still began to rise. What lead to the rise of these political parties was the different views on the government, how to interpret the Constitution.…

    • 438 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The United states in the twenty-first century is mainly a two-party system. Despite the fact that more than two political parties remain, numerous of American citizens favor to choose between the two big factions, now called Democrats and Republicans, exchanged principle, focuses, beliefs, and delegates innumerable periods in American history.…

    • 331 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    To this day, in our election, we have political parties. Political parties are a group of like-minded people, working together to try and win their election. Not all people would say that political parties are important, but I disagree. Some people would agree with me because without them then our elections would be very hard to keep track of. They would be difficult to track because then it would be everyone for themselves so they can’t group the votes. Most people don’t really say much much about political parties but when they do they usually ask. “Why did political parties develop?” and “Did political parties have any problems?”. These questions could easily be answered with some research.…

    • 818 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Second Party System Essay

    • 632 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The emergence of the second party system in the United States is a dynamic piece of our political history. This term was used as a way of stating the political party systems during the time period of the early/middle 1800’s. Due to separate views and rapidly rising voting interest, this is where the United States ultimately split into the Democratic and Whig Party. Although both parties were still growing at the time, both devised many major philosophies and had very important political figures as their leader.…

    • 632 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Two Party System

    • 455 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The United States has maintained the two-party system. According to Christine Barbour and Gerald C. Wright, “Throughout most of our history, in fact, the Democrats and the Republicans have been the only parties with a viable chance of winning the vast majority of elective offices”(Keeping the Republic, 2011)…

    • 455 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays