Political+Parties

Federalists : supporters of the Constitution and a strong federal (national) government (first) Republicans : opposers of Federalists who believed in the power of the people Whigs : supporters of a strong federal government and industrial/commercial development Democrats : Jackson's followers who supported economic/political opportunities for white males Native American Party : made up of nativist Know-Nothings Free-Soilers : opposers of slavery (modern) Republicans : opposers of spread of slavery, and opposers of the Kansas-Nebraska Act National Greenback Party : unpopular inflationists bringing up the US $ issue (paper v. gold-based currency) Stalwarts (Republicans) : favored traditional, professional machine politics - led by NY's Roscoe Conkling Half-Breeds (Republicans) : favored reform - led by ME's James G. Blaine independent "Antimonopoly"/"Reform" : Grangers (farmers) who aimed to get the gov. to control the railroads People's (Populists) Party : Farmers' Alliance + liberal Dem.s who supported "subtreasuries" & opposed national banks Progressives : supported direct intervention in social/economic affairs to improve society & allow it to grow Women's Peace Party : supported peace activism, trying to keep the US from intervening in WWI -> small but active membership Socialist Party of America : believed economy needed structural changes w/ Eugene Debs as presidential candidate American Communist Party : attacked during the Red Scare, & especially b/c of McCarthyism