Savvas Learning
Political Parties
What is a political party, and what major parties exist in American politics today? How did the party system develop in American history, and how are parties organized? These questions and many other details regarding the political party...
Curated OER
Presidential Election Year: Major Issues
Whether or not it's a presidential election year, this debate activity will spark research on current political issues. Split your government scholars into 4 groups and assign each a political party. One person will be the "candidate"...
Curated OER
The Two-Party System: Chapter 5
Guide your students' reading with this worksheet. Included are five matching and five multiple choice questions focused on aspects of the two-party system employed in the United States. Use as a quiz, guided reading questions, or homework.
Curated OER
Homemade Political Parties
Use this 5-day lesson to clarify the platforms of the two major parties, comparing and contrasting against students' beliefs. Begin by looking at unlabeled summaries of both party platforms, having learners identify most with one. Groups...
Curated OER
The Two-Party System in American History: Ch 5
Five matching and 5 multiple choice questions to challenge your class. Their answers will test their knowledge of early American government. Party systems, Electorate, and major constituents of the time are the topics included.
CPALMS
Florida State University Cpalms: Florida Students: Party On: Political Parties in America
This tutorial examines the political parties in the United States. It looks at the two main parties, third parties, and independents. A PDF file of the tutorial is available.
University of Virginia
Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: James Knox Polk:campaign and Election of 1844
The campaign and election of 1844 showed the rising difference in the nation between Whigs and Democrats and sections of the country. Showing the true development of the two-party system, it also gave rise to the term, "dark horse."
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Democracy in America: Political Parties: Mobilizing Agents
This unit examines the significance of political parties in American politics, highlighting their functions, differences, and influence on the public for political decision making. Offers video, readings, web resources, and activities.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: America in Class: Expansion of Democracy During the Jacksonian Era
Lesson where students explore the emergence of the American system of democracy and political parties between 1820 and 1850. Using paintings by George Caleb Bingham and Richard Caton Woodville, and a political cartoon depicting the...
iCivics
I Civics: Party Systems
Use this mini-lesson plan to show your students that there are lots of different political party systems around the world besides Democrats and Republicans.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: 1828 Campaign of Andrew Jackson and Growth of Party Politics
In this Curriculum Unit, students will consider "The 1828 Campaign of Andrew Jackson and the Growth of Party Politics" in 4 Lessons. The unit also includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
Digital History
Digital History: Rise of Democratic Politics
Although difficult to comprehend, after the demise of the Federalists, there was essentially just one political party in the United States for about a decade. Read about the rise of the new two-party system and how the attack on...
Digital History
Digital History: The Whigs
A look at the Whig Party's formation in the 1830s as opposition to the Democratic Party. Read about their legislative plans, and the men they nominated for president over the years.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Politics in Transition: Public Conflict in the 1790s
A brief overview of the struggles taking place in politics in the 1790s. Even the honorable George Washington was not sheltered from contentious criticism. Read about the foreign and domestic problems that loomed in that decade.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Jacksonian Democracy and Modern America
An overview of the ideals of the new Democratic Party under Andrew Jackson, and later Martin Van Buren. Read about the new two-party system with the formation of the Whig Party. See how Jacksonian Democracy molded American political...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Age of Jackson
An overview of the issues and changes to the political scene in the Age of Jackson. Read about the nullification crisis and Jackson's veto of the national bank charter, and the relocation of Native Americans. Find out about the...
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story; A New Nation
As America was forming its government, many problems needed to be solved. The Library of Congress tells you more about this time and some of its interesting people.