Essay Example on US Government: Federal Republic, Constitution, Political Parties

Introduction

As a federal republic, the United States of America has reserved powers for the president, federal courts, and Congress in the national government. According to the U.S. constitution, both the federal and state governments share sovereignty (Madison, 1787). The Republican Party and Democratic Parties have been the main dominating political parties in American politics. The two main parties were formed during the American Civil War. Many scholars have identified continuity of some political values in America since the period of the American Revolution. The three-party systems resulted in differences in political ideologies among political leaders (Madison, 1787). For instance, some wanted to develop objectives and strategies that can help in uniting all American citizens while others focused on attaining full liberation. Also, the three-party system emerged to prevent violence and promote peace in the country (Madison, 1788). The political leaders wanted to ensure that all American citizens enjoy the privileges and liberties provided by the Commonwealth constitution. The application of the "left-right" approach changed American politics (Madison, 1787). This paper provides comprehensive information on the analysis of the events that resulted in the changes in political party systems between the Revolution and the American Civil War periods.

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Reasons for Disappearing of the Federalist Party

The Federalist Party was among the first political parties to be established in the United States of America. When President George Washington was in power, Alexander Hamilton became the first Secretary in the Treasury Department and gained many followers due to his fiscal political policies (Jefferson, Madison, & Calhoun, 1832). being an influential person, Hamilton and his closest allies who were businessmen and bankers formed the Federalist Party (Jefferson et al., 1832). Hamilton established the Federalist Party to help them in accentuating their shared political views. Being the leader of the Federalist Party, Hamilton was concerned in economic developments, especially establishing a strong relationship with the United Kingdom and developing a national bank (Jefferson et al., 1832).

The 1882 War resulted to collapse of the Federalist Party (Skowronek, 1997). The behavior of the British in the United States during her war with France to anti-British ideologies (Jefferson et al., 1832). The Federalist Party was greatly affected because Hamilton's objective was to develop a strong economic relationship with Britain. Also, Great Britain used its navy to in preventing U.S. ships from engaging in economic activities with France resulted to devastating challenges that affected the growth of the Federalist Party (Jefferson et al., 1832). Britain's act of preventing successful trading activities between America and France during the war was against international law; therefore, escalating the issue of anti-British in the United States (Jefferson et al., 1832).

Another reason for the collapse of the Federalist Party was Britain's act of providing arms to Indian tribes living in the Northwest parts (Jefferson et al., 1832). The armed Indian tribes started to attack settlers. The United States was curious after the attacks by the native Indian communities since the territory had been fully surrendered by Britain. This affected the success of the Federalist Party because its leaders like Alexander Hamilton and other associates were much connected to Great Britain.

Third, the Hartford Convention conducted between 1814 and 1815 contributed to the collapse of the Federalist Party in the United States of America (Skowronek, 1997). The convention in New England ended up and various suggestions on constitutional amendments were developed to shape succession system. After the great and influential convention on both Britain and the United States of America, it was considered as an attempt of treason; therefore, becoming a black mark on the Federalist Party's resumptions (Skowronek, 1997). Many people in the United States of America started to develop anti-Federalist attitudes after the convention.

Fourth, differences in political ideologies between leaders resulted to collapse of the Federalist Party. For example, the dispute between Adams and Hamilton lead to division; therefore, weakening the party's ability to compete with other strong political parties. Hamilton and Adams were great influential leaders who determined the success of the Federalist Party; therefore, their dispute interfered with effective performances.

Lastly, the Federalist Party favored people from the upper class, especially the bankers and businessmen. Favoring the success of the people in the upper class was seen as a form of discrimination; therefore, the Federalist Party started to lose the support of people from middle and lower classes (Skowronek, 1997). On the other hand, Republican and Democratic parties focused on the needs of people from the lower classes; therefore, gaining the support of many American citizens (Skowronek, 1997). The rise of Democratic and Republican parties contributed to collapse of the Federalist Party because they swayed voters away.

Issues/Events that caused the rise and fall of the Whig Party

Abraham Lincoln was a great statesman who contributed to shaping American politics (Skowronek, 1997). Lincoln's leadership styles and skills were reliable signposts in improving the shape of U.S. political possibilities. In the mid-nineteenth century, Lincoln became a reconstructive American leader because of his ability to advocate for the rights of people in the lowest classes. During the mid-nineteenth century, the United States was divided due to differences in political ideologies and Lincoln rose to unite all people (Skowronek, 1997). Being a self-made and focused leader, Lincoln established multiple policies that can be used to pull down old political institutions in the United States of America. Also, became an influential Whig aspiring candidate for the legislature in 1832, 1834, 1836, 1838, and 1840 (Skowronek, 1997).

The successes of Lincoln in all elections resulted to rise of the Whig Party. In 1840 and 1844, Lincoln became presidential elector; therefore, enabling him to gain more national support for his Whig Party (MacDonald, 1889). Lincoln became the first Whig Party nominee to the United States Congress in 1846 (MacDonald, 1889). Later, Lincoln used the Whig party to contend for a senate seat in 1855 (MacDonald, 1889). The Whig Party drew support from people in the middle and lower classes, religions, occupations, and ethnicities; therefore, becoming influential in the United States of America. In this case, the Whig Party relied mostly on the middle-class people who were the majority of voters in the United States of America.

Factionalism affected many Whigs; therefore, lowering their party loyalty (MacDonald, 1889). Later, the political faction led to division among the Whigs since some supported federal policies of promoting economic development while others favored democratic ideologies. For example, the Southern Whigs like John Botts of Virginia and John Berrien from Georgia endorsed interventionist policies, but others like William Cabell Rives sought to was concerned in shifting the Whig Party away from economic ideologies (MacDonald, 1889).

Why the Republican Party Formed and Evolved

The Republican Party is one of the oldest political parties in the United States of America. Currently, the Republican Party is the main rival of the Democratic Party in the United States politics (MacDonald, 1889). The Republic Party was formed in 1854 as a way of combating the Kansas-Nebraska Act (MacDonald, 1889). Also, the Republican Party emerged to prevent the expansion of slavery into the United States territorial boundaries (MacDonald, 1889). The founders of the Republican Party comprised African-Americans, businessmen, professionals, farmers, factory workers, and white Protestants in the northern region of the United States. Some early veterans in the Republican Party wanted to support banks, high tariffs, expansion of roads and railways, and improve the gold standard in all parts of the country without favoring specific regions.

During it's the formation, the Republican Party did not have support in the Southern states, but in 1859 the party had influenced many former Whigs and ex-Free Soil Democrats; therefore, becoming the majority group in all Northern states (Skowronek, 1997). Abraham Lincoln was elected as the first Republican President in 1860; therefore, enabling the party to successfully deliver the Union into victory during the American Civil War (MacDonald, 1889). Also, the Republican Party is known for its significant role in abolishing slavery in the United States of America. The evolution of the Republican Party and the ability to abolish slavery enabled it to dominate American politics until 1932 (MacDonald, 1889).

After being rejected by the Republican Party, Theodore Roosevelt moved out and formed the Progressive Party in 1912 (Skowronek, 1997). In this event, many supporters of Roosevelt left the Republican Party. After 1912, the Republican Party underwent some ideological change to the right (MacDonald, 1889). The core base of the Republican Party shifted after the introduction of the Civil Rights Act in 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (MacDonald, 1889).

The Republican Party lost many supporters and congressional majorities, especially during the Great depression between 1929 and 1940. Under the leadership of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Democratic Party formed a significant coalition in the dominated political scene from 1932 to 1964 (Dred, 2000). Towards the end of the 1960s, the Southern states became the leading and reliable supporters of the Republican Party during presidential elections (Dred, 2000). The Whites started to support the Republican Party towards the end of the 1960s (Dred, 2000). During a decision made by the United States Supreme Court in a case between Roe and Wade, the Republican Party was against the legalization of abortion; therefore, gaining support from evangelicals. Ronald Reagan became a two-term Republican president from 1981 to 1989 (Dred, 2000). Due to his transformative policies on the reduction of taxes and government spending, Reagan influenced many people in America.

How the Democratic-Republicans Shifted from the Party of Jefferson to Jackson to Calhoun and Confederate Sympathizers

The Democratic-Republican Party traces its heritage back to James Madison and Thomas Jefferson (Jefferson et al. 1832). The present-day Democratic Party was formed in 1828 delegates who supported Andrew Jackson. During the 1830s, Democrats supported limited sovereignty of both federal and state governments (Jefferson et al. 1832). Also, the Democrats supported the expansion of slavery in the United States of America and opposed the developed of the national bank.

After President Jefferson finished his two terms of leadership, both James Madison and James Monroe took power and led the country for two terms each. For Jefferson's supporters, the 1800 presidential election was seen as a second revolution that extended and protected the gains they had achieved during the 1776 revolution (Jefferson et al. 1832). Jeffersonian Democracy was an important political movement that shaped the lives of many people in the United States of America (Jefferson et al. 1832). Despite its success, the Jeffersonian Democracy encountered intense criticism.

The Democratic-Republicans moved from Jefferson's party Andrew Jackson's party because due to its ability to embrace slavery in the United States of America (Jefferson et al. 1832). Jefferson's close associates and other party l...