How have political parties changed since World War II? What platforms have changed, and how has the power shifted in the government since then?
Political parties have been around since almost the beginning of our American government. With much speculation, the Founding Fathers created a two-party system that gave our government a sense of organization, and created a process where the parties would provide political leaders for election. This helped define our government’s system, and has sustained our government throughout the years, lasting until present day. Although there has been numerous changes to the system, the principle ideas of political parties have stayed the same. Throughout the years, not only has the platform of the parties changed, but the power of the parties within the government has switched many times.
The original two-party system was established with the Constitution by the Founding Fathers, to give a sense of organization to voters, and to make it easier for the voters to choose which side they want to support by showing the parties' policies and intentions for their position in government. By choosing candidates for elected positions, the voters have a clear idea of what is going on, and it makes it an easier process. The two-party system also prevents either party from gaining complete control of the government whether it is in the House, Senate, or Presidency. By criticizing other party members, and competing for power, the public has the opportunity to see both views and opinions of the two political parties.
The first competing political parties were established as Federalists and Republicans. Their policies were very different from current time, and the national support that they acquired has also changed intensely. The switch in power of the two parties did not happen for decades, but the original system did not work as well as they thought it would; originating the two-party system.
The change in power mainly occurred after World War II. The Great Depression brought about a powerful change in political party power, and created a divide between the parties. President Roosevelt's New Deal Coalition was the primary event that started numerous chain reactions in U.S. politics. This was an act that was passed during the Great Depression that financially aided victims of the economic depression by "passing economic relief measures, social security, laws helping unions, and other bills." (Scholastic). The New Deal Coalition, "redefined the role of federal government as an active agent in promoting the general welfare." (Scholastic). The democrats who supported this action felt that it was the government’s duty to jump in and help whenever possible. This started the obvious disagreement between the two parties where Republicans felt that the government’s power should be contained to minimal amounts, and the Democrats thought that the government was needed whenever possible. For the next twenty years, the democratic party maintained control of the government because of the widespread support that they had gained during the Depression. The New Deal Coalition started the separation, but the main cause of the change in power was due to Nixon’s plan to attain Southern voter support.
Southern Realignment started with the first term of presidency of Richard Nixon. His “Southern Strategy” was meant to "emphasize his support for states’ rights, law and order, and a strong military posture." (Cliff Notes). His goal was to win over Southern conservatives over to the Republican party. This realignment in political party control began the southern states’ change to republican support for the next 40 years. Although the change did not occur as rapidly as Nixon had intended, the gradual change lasted up until 1968, where the republicans gained control. An interesting mark that showed the republican power during that time, and the newness of the split government was the fact that Richard Nixon was the first president to take presidency without major support of his party in the House or Senate. This shows how the split government had never happened, before and how much was in store for the country from that point on.
From Nixon’s presidency to the 21st century republicans fought for power with the democrats, whether it was an odd party president without support in Congress, or a full party government. Nixon, Reagan, and Bush all had party divided power in the presidency during their terms. It was not until Clinton restored party majority in the 1992 election. Republicans then took power of both house of Congress in the 1994 elections. This made Republican leaders optimistic for an upcoming Republican Era, but the Democratic leaders also thought that the voters were going to change their views on the republican actions, and support the democratic party once again. The voters ended up resulting with a party divided control of government with a Republican majority in Congress, and a Democratic President of Bill Clinton. The government power changed yet again in the next presidential election, where George W. Bush maintained Republican political control from 2003 to 2006. It was not until the recent election of President Barack Obama where the democrats had majority control in both the presidency, and both houses of Congress, but in his second term of presidency, the House was attained by the republicans.
The fluctuation in political party control shows how diverse and changing our nation’s views on politics are, one could view that as a good or bad thing. The positive outlook of the fluctuating power shows how the American voters have different views, and how they are always thinking of new ways to alter the government for the better. On the other hand, the fluctuating party control could also show a sense of instability in our government. If you trace the political parties from their originating position, both power and platforms have changed greatly.The platforms of the parties have also changed, but not as substantially as the power struggle. The majority power has obviously changed from Democratic to Republican numerous times, whether it was from Nixon’s Southern Realignment, or the changing views of voters today.
Sources
Poltical Party Platforms - This source provided me with a clear comparison of both parties' platforms. It also traced their change throughout the years, beginning with their original positions, to current day. This not only allowed me to see how they changed, but how they had started and what their views were like.
Roles of Political Parties - This source told me what the actual roles of political parties are. It explained why they were created, and what they do today. This helped me realize the change in their roles throughout the years as well.
Change in Power - This website provided me with my main source of research for my paper. It explained what events first started the change in political party majority, and how it occurred. I learned about Roosevelt's New Deal Coalition, and Nixon's Southern Realignment.
New Deal Coalition - This source gave me more information on the New Deal Coalition, and also how the democratic party lost support during this time. It also explained the exact affect that the Great Depression had on party support.
Government in America by: Edwards, Watenberg, Lineberry - The APUSH textbook explained more on the Southern Realignment, and what actually happened during that time. It also had many helpful comparison charts that helped me see the roles of parties more clearly. There were a couple graphs of voting poles, and the demographic of the party support that helped see who the voters were and what backgrounds they came from.
Founding Fathers - This source gave me quotes from the Founding Fathers, which helped me see their reasoning behind creating the parties, and how much hesitation they had while doing this.
Images
.jpeg)