What they stand for and Who they represent…

Political Parties in the United States

UEQ and LEQUEQ: Why is the political party system an

important part of the government, voting process, and being a citizen in the United States today?

LEQ: How do political parties contribute to the well being of the United States government and United States citizens?

VocabularyPolitical PartyNominatePlatformPlankCanvasCandidate

Do NowElecting the President or a member of the U.S.

government is not an easy process, sometimes taking nearly two years.

However, when it comes time for a political election, people are responsible to vote for a particular person.

Question: How do people prepare themselves to vote for a particular person during an election?List three possible ways they prepare themselves

Citizens Journal: Read over the “Civics in the Real World” entry on page 589 and answer the Citizens Journal questions at the bottom of the page.Question 1: Answer in full detail, provide 2 examplesQuestion 2: Describe two ways you will find out

Music Video Warm UpWatch the short music video created during the

2008 election in an effort to get people to vote.After the video is over answer the questions below.

What issues must a person consider and think about when he or she goes to vote? (List four)

Why must a person think about these issues when they choose a particular party or who they will vote for?

How can your vote and the votes of other American citizens impact the issues presented to you in the video?

Rock The Vote: Against Me Music Video

What is A Political Party???

What are America’s two political parties?

Political Parties Highlighter Reading

As you read, find the answers to the questions below in the short article on political parties.

Highlight the answers as you read.Questions1.“What is a political party?”2.“Why were the founding fathers worried about

the parties?”3.“What parties existed in the past and exist

today?”4.“How are political parties similar and

different?”5.“Why do third parties exist?”

Political Parties Highlighter Reading

As you read, find the answers to the questions below in the short article on political parties.

Highlight the answers as you read.Questions1.“What is a political party?”2.“Why were the founding fathers worried about

the parties?”3.“How does the Constitution limit parties?”4.“What are the checks and balances?”5.“How are political parties similar and

different?”6.“Why do third parties exist?”

Not a Political Party

Political PartyCitizens want many things from government…

ProtectionClean EnvironmentFair Treatment at WorkEqual Laws

Working in groups, government workers can provide citizens with necessary items they want and need.

Political PartyGroup of citizens who influence and control

government by getting people elected to government jobs.

Thomas Jefferson on PartiesThomas Jefferson once said…Men by their constitutions are naturally divided into

two parties: 1. Those who fear and distrust the people, and wish to draw all powers from them into the hands of the higher classes. 2. Those who identify themselves with the people, have confidence in them, cherish and consider them as the most honest and safe, although not the most wise depositary of the public interests. In every country these two parties exist, and in every one where they are free to think, speak, and write, they will declare themselves. Call them whatever name you please, they are the same parties still and pursue the same object. The last one of Aristocrats and Democrats is the true one expressing the essence of all."

What is Thomas Jefferson trying to say? Break the quote down and translate it into sections….

Political Parties Today

Four Ways Parties Help Government

Do you know how political parties help the government?Complete the four sectioned graphic organizer using

pages 591 to 592.

Make sure for each section to provide enough detail that if you gave the graphic organizer to a person they could easily understand each way that a party helps government.

Way One???

Select CandidatesNominate

Each political party picks/names a person to run for a government job.

Each party finds and nominates each person.

Today500,000 positions in government that people

are picked by parties to run for.

Only members of parties can run for government jobs, if not, they will usually not get a government job.

Selecting Candidates

Democratic National Convention

Republican National Convention

Way Two???

Setting GoalsEach party creates a list of positions or issues

and sets goals for how they will solve them.Platform

Statement by a partyA parties official stance (good/bad,

agree/disagree) on a major issueExample: Legalize Abortion

PlankStatements about what will be done on different

issues that relate to a platform.Example: Abortion; every mother will legally

have a choice

Platform

Education

Voting

Plank

T-Chart Contrast PosterUsing the Platform and Plank Handout for the

Democrats and Republicans, create a T-Chart on the long white poster paper, like the one on the next slide, which you will use to show differences on issues between Democrats and Republicans.

Choose four issues and list them on either side of the T-Chart, but leave plenty of room to write down planks for each issue.

You will have to come up with the platform for both parties on the issues that you pick, use the planks to help you come up with the platform

Platform and Plank T-ChartDemocrats Republicans

Platform for Crime: Crime Prevention

Planks:1.Crack down on gangs and drugs2.Tougher Punishment3.DNA Testing

Platform for Abortion: Stop Abortion

Planks:1.Ban Abortion2.Alternatives to abortion3.Human Life Amendment

Way Three???

LeadershipPolitical Parties provide daily leadership in

local, state, and national government.Needed to make lawsNeeded to make programs to help citizens

If a political party controls the executive branch of government (presidency, governor) the party shapes the government and country.

Presidential Leadership

Leadership

Way Four???

WatchdogsDo you hate when people watch every move

you make?How would you feel if people told others

about what you did?

Political Parties watch each other for problems.If there is a problem a party will tell the publicTelling the public makes sure changes are

made and everyone is honest and working.

Watchdog

When a Politician Lies...

Three Ways of Helping Citizens

Way One Way Two Way Three

Post It Note Exit Ticket

Using the post it note that I have given you, write down your answer to the LEQ on the side white board. In your answer be sure to include examples from the

notes on how political parties help government and citizens.

Take the post it note as you leave and stick on the “Bearcats, Exit Ticket” Poster aside of the door.