Unit 10 Part 1
• POLITICAL PARTIES
Democrat vs. Republican
Symbol- DemocratDonkeyThis symbol was first associated
with Democrat Andrew Jackson in 1828. His opponents called him a
“jackass.”It gained popularity among Democrats who consider
themselves strong willed, like a donkey. Republicans like to use it because they see Democrats as
stubborn.
Symbol- RepublicanElephant
Cartoonist Thomas Nast gave Republicans the Elephant symbol in 1874 to mock them as a big party which tries to scare away others.
It gained popularity among Republicans who consider
themselves strong and dignified, like the elephant. Democrats like to
use it because they see Republicans as slow moving.
Political Spectrum- Democrat
LeftLiberal
Political Spectrum- Republican
RightConservative
Leaders- DemocratPresident Obama, Sec of State HilaryClinton, Former President Bill Clinton,
Former President John F. Kennedy
Leaders- RepublicanMitt Romney, Former President
George W. Bush, SenatorJohn McCain, Former President George
Bush, Former President Ronald Reagan,
Typical Supporters- Democrat
WomenAfrican Americans Poorer CitizensYounger Citizens Educated CitizensNorthern US Western US
Typical Supporters- Republican
Men ChristiansWhite Americans Wealthier CitizensOlder Citizens Middle ClassSouthern US Midwest US
Size of the Government- Democrat
Large & directly involved withcitizen’s lives
Size of the Government- Republican
Small & indirectlyinvolved with citizen’s lives
Taxes- DemocratSupport more taxes
Want to tax the rich moreand the poor less
Taxes- RepublicanSupport less taxes
Want to tax the rich lessand tax everyone similarly
Welfare- Democrat
Support
Favorprograms
for the poor
Welfare- Republican
Against
Do not favorprograms for
the poor
Minimum Wage- Democrat
Increase
Helps the poor
Minimum Wage- Republican
Decrease
Hurts businesses to pay higher
salaries
Business Regulation- Democrat
Increase
Want to control
businesses more
Business Regulation- Republican
Decrease
Want tocontrol
businessesless
Military Spending- Democrat
Decrease
Spend lesson the military
Military Spending- Republican
Increase
Spend moreon themilitary
Foreign Aid- Democrat
Increase
Help poorcountries
Foreign Aid- Republican
Decrease
Help Americabefore other
countries
Gun Control- Democrat
Increase
Stricter lawsto decrease
crime
Gun Control- Republican
Decrease
Stricter lawsdo not mean
less crime
Death Penalty- Democrat
Against
Cruel andunusual
punishment
Death Penalty- Republican
Support
Not crueland unusualpunishment
Affirmative Action- Democrat
Support
Help minorities
Affirmative Action- Republican
Against
Hurtsnon-minorities
Abortion- Democrat
Support
Pro-Choice
Abortion- Republican
Against
Pro-Life
Healthcare- DemocratSupport
Want freehealthcare
for allAmericans
Healthcare- RepublicanAgainst
Should notprovide freehealthcare,
people shouldget their own
Education- Democrat
NationalGovernment
control
Education- Republican
StateGovernment
control
Environment- DemocratMore laws protecting it
Against new gas, oil, and mineral exploration
Environment- RepublicanLess laws protecting it
Support new gas, oil, and mineral exploration