Topic: Political Parties

Overview:

Political Parties

 Political Parties are basically organizations that mobilizes voters on behalf of a  common set of interests, concerns, and goals.  In many countries political parties can play a crucial part in their democratic processes.  A political party formulates political and policy agendas as well as selects candidates, and conduct election campaigns, and furthermore, they manage the work of their  elected representatives.  Political parties also link citizens and the government, while they provide the means by which people can have a voice in their government.
 

Vocabulary and Identifications

1) Federalist- supporters of ratification of the Federal constitution. They became the first political party under the leadership of Alexander Hamilton, who favored a strong national government.

2) Inauguration official- ceremony which a person assumes or takes over a government office.

3) Majority - the candidate or ballot measure receives at least half  plus one of the total vote cast.

4) third party -any political party other than two major parties.

5) Political action committee- a committee established by and representing a corporation labor union or special interest  group that raises money and gives comparing contributions.

Important Chart: The Rise of Political Parties
 
  

Biographies of Important People
 

Alexander Hamilton Hamilton was born in 1775. During his childhood was not afforded much opportunity formal education but through the tutoring of his step-mother he learned a great knowledge of the french language and history. Hamilton attended King's College where he attained a BA degree in one year. At age 25, Hamilton began his political career for which he is most remembered for. Hamilton served from 1782 to 1783 in congress and was elected to continental congress. In 1787 Hamilton was one of the authors of The Federalist, a commentary on American constitutional law an principles of government. Hamilton became one of two famous leaders in the Political Parties. Hamilton died in 1804.

Thomas Jefferson      Jefferson was born in 1743 in Albemarle  County VA.  He studied at the college of William and Mary, where he later read law.  Jefferson was a great correspondent but not a very good public speaker.  In both the the Continual Congress and the House of Burgesses he contributed thorough his writing rather than through public speeches.  Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence at age 33.  A few years later he wrote a Bill the established  religious freedom.  In 1796 he became vice president and eventually president.  Then he retired to his home in.  On July 4, 1826 he died.

Quiz

1) What year was Thomas Jefferson born in?
 a) 1743 b) 1734c) 1473d) 1347

2 How old was Jefferson when he drafted the Declaration of Independence?
a) 36  b) 35 c) 34  d) 33

3 What year did Jefferson die?
a) 1284 b) 1825 c) 1826 d) 1895

4 In what year did Hamilton born in?
a) 1758 b) 1755 c) 1775 d) 1756

5 What year did Hamilton die in?
a) 1804 b) 1859 c) 1865 d) 1582

Answers
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Answers:
 

1) 1743

2) 33

3) 1826

4) 1775

5) 1804
 

Resources:

Our resources are: Poltical parties, Grolier's Interactive.
The World Book Multimedia Encyclopedia.
 

To Project Main Page
 

This page is part of a web project developed by Mr. Cassutto's 7th grade US History class. 

Student authors:

Katie, Ashley, Omar, Elizabeth