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The Two Party System

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“The two-party system has been an American political fixture virtually from the very beginning of our political life.” Although many different political parties have been created since the beginning of our nation’s political inception/career/life, ultimately every individual party (has strong ideological ties to) can be categorized as either a democratic party or a republican party. After the presidency of George Washington, two distinct political sides began to form. One side viewed slavery as a wrong practice; thought government should be limited and opposed the creations of a national bank. The other side viewed slavery as an acceptable practice, thought large government control was required, and promoted the formation of a national …show more content…

Thomas Jefferson and James Madison founded this group “as a party opposed to the policies of Treasure of Secretary Alexander Hamilton.” This organization “believed that a strong federal government would weaken the rights of the estates and the people and insisted on a strict construction of the constitution.” Although solely these views appear to be enough to justify an opposing party, the Federalists and Democratic-Republicans “differed most in their views on foreign policy and the economy.” Opposing the view of the Federalists this party argued that instead of strengthening America’s relationship with Britain, we should strengthen our relationship with the French. The Democratic Republicans believed France was “more democratic after its recent revolution.” On the economic side, the Democratic-Republicans opposed the idea of a national bank, believing it would “usurp power that belonged to individual states.” This party sent “four candidates to presidency.” Consequently, by 1824, the group began to divide four different ways due to the “lack of a cohesive center.” Members of this party either joined the Democratic party forming under Andrew Jackson, or joined the Whig party, which would eventually become the Republican …show more content…

Today, within American’s two main political parties, there are controversies over issues that were not relevant to early America. Today, Democrats and Republicans hotly debate issues such as second amendment rights, abortion, and gay rights. These issues touch upon deep moral beliefs. Slowly, our country has evolved into a self-centered, ungodly culture. Citizens have forgotten why America was founded in the first place, for freedom of religion, not to live freely without considering one’s fellow man. When America began her political career, the vast majority of United States citizens were united in the fact that they believed in God and were founded solely in Him. Our founding fathers sought to construct a united nation, “under God.” Worldly matters such as federal government and foreign relations were simply controversial topics, not based on one’s

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