The Democratic Party, one of the two major political parties in the United States, has a rich and complex history dating back to the early 19th century. Formed in the aftermath of the contentious presidential election of 1824, the Democratic Party emerged as the political home for supporters of Andrew Jackson, who won the presidency in 1828. Early on, the party was characterized by its commitment to agrarian interests, states’ rights, and the expansion of suffrage. Over the years, the Democratic Party underwent significant transformations, particularly with the rise of progressivism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, marked by leaders like Woodrow Wilson.
The party has been a driving force behind landmark policies, including Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal in response to the Great Depression and Lyndon B. Johnson’s Great Society programs in the 1960s. The Democratic Party has also been at the forefront of the civil rights movement, advocating for racial and social justice. However, the party has experienced ideological shifts and internal divisions, notably during the Vietnam War era and debates over economic policies. Today, the Democratic Party encompasses a broad coalition with diverse views, ranging from progressive to centrist, making it a dynamic force in American politics.
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This lesson takes students on a journey to understand why many Black Americans flipped from loyal Republican voters during Reconstruction to hopeful Democrat voters during the Civil Rights Era of the 1960s.
