Introduction

Political parties are not mentioned in the Constitution. However, it is difficult to imagine our system of government without them. Unlike most other democratic nations, which have multi-party systems, the United States has only two major political parties. Except for relatively brief periods of transition, this has been the case for most of American history.

American society has always seen divisions on important issues. Before independence, some colonists favored independence while others, called Tories or Loyalists, opposed it. When the Constitution was being debated, the Federalists favored a strong national government and ratification of the Constitution, while the Anti-Federalists favored a weaker national government and opposed ratification. This latter division would eventually give rise to the first political parties, which would try to get people who shared their views elected to government offices.

As you proceed through this timeline, keep the following questions in mind:

• How have the political parties in the United States been a reflection of events in society as a whole?
• What events have led to changes in the party system?
• What might be necessary for a new political party to emerge as a significant force in the American political system?