A political party is like a club. Members of a political party have similar ideas about how to run the country. They don't have to agree on everything, but they share many of the same beliefs or ideas. One idea might be about how to protect our country. Another idea might be about the best way to help the poor.

When George Washington became President of the United States, political parties did not exist. Washington did not trust political parties. He thought they would divide our country. But it didn’t take long before people started their own parties.

Many political parties have come and gone. Today, the Democrats and the Republicans are the two oldest and biggest political parties in the United States.

The Democratic Party

The symbol for the Democratic Party is the donkey. The Republicans think of the donkey as stubborn and silly. The Democrats think it is smart and humble.

The Democratic Party has a long history. It can trace its roots back to Thomas Jefferson’s party. Jefferson’s party was known as the "party for the common man." Many of the members were farmers, like Jefferson. Today, many farmers still belong to the Democratic Party.

Democrats are often called liberals. A liberal favors new ideas and change. Democrats believe the government should use tax money to help its
citizens. In the past, the government has created many services and
programs. Some of these programs help people pay for school
lunches, doctor’s visits, and medicine.

The Republican Party

The symbol for the Republican Party is the elephant. The Democrats think of the elephant as clumsy and slow. The Republicans think it is wise and strong.

The Republican Party was created in 1854. Its goal was to end slavery. The first Republican President was Abraham Lincoln. During its early days, members of the Republican Party were mainly from the North. Today, many people in the South belong to the Republican Party.

Republicans are often called conservatives. A conservative favors traditional ideas and values. Republicans believe the government should not get too involved in people’s lives. They feel that the best way to help the country is to create new businesses and jobs.

Third Parties

Sometimes voters do not agree with the Democrats or the Republicans. They may feel that there are other important issues or ideas. These voters will often vote for a third party.

People often start third parties because they feel strongly about an issue or a candidate. Many of these parties are named after the issue most important to them. For example, the Green Party believes in saving the environment.

Other parties form around a leader. The Reform Party was created to support Ross Perot in the 1996 election. Here is a short list of past and present third parties:

  • Libertarian Party
  • Prohibition Party
  • Constitution Party
  • Know-Nothing Party
  • Bull-Moose Party
  • Free Soil Party
  • Vegetarian Party
  • Equal Rights Party

Choose one of the third parties above. Find out what the party stands for and if it has a symbol. Use the links below to begin your research. Then click here to complete the activity.

www.askkids.com/
www.edgate.com/elections/inactive/the_parties

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