what were the important political parties since the election of Andrew Jackson as president to the end of the reconstruction, when the country was left with only two major parties, racially and regionally divided? Include third parties. What did they stand for. Who voted for them?
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Since the election of Andrew Jackson as president in 1828 until the end of the Reconstruction era in the late 1870s, American political parties underwent significant changes. During this period, several important political parties emerged, dissolved, or transformed their platforms. Here are some of the notable parties and their characteristics:
1. Democratic Party (1828 - Present): The Democratic Party was founded by Andrew Jackson and his supporters. It promoted the expansion of white male suffrage, limited federal government, westward expansion, agricultural interests, and opposed the concentration of power in the hands of the wealthy and elite. Over time, the Democratic Party would change its stances on various issues, but during this period, its primary voter base consisted of farmers, laborers, urban immigrants, and states' rights proponents.
2. Whig Party (1834 - 1856): The Whig Party formed in opposition to Andrew Jackson's policies and his strong executive powers. The party represented a broad coalition of diverse factions, including northern industrialists, evangelical Protestants, and traditionalists. The Whigs advocated for a stronger federal government, modernization, internal improvements (such as transportation infrastructure), and a protective tariff. Their voter base consisted of businessmen, professionals, and some farmers.
3. Free Soil Party (1848 - 1854): The Free Soil Party emerged as a response to the expansion of slavery into new territories acquired from Mexico. They opposed the spread of slavery and sought to keep these territories free for white labor. The party's ideology combined anti-slavery sentiments, land reform, and support for internal improvements. The Free Soil Party attracted various groups, including northern abolitionists, farmers, and workers concerned about the impact of slavery on free labor.
4. Republican Party (1854 - Present): The Republican Party is a direct successor to the Free Soil Party and the Whigs. It was founded in opposition to the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which allowed those territories to decide on the slavery issue by popular sovereignty. Republicans aimed to restrict the expansion of slavery and preserve the Union. They attracted a diverse coalition consisting of anti-slavery activists, northern business interests, abolitionists, reformers, and African Americans.
During and after the Reconstruction era (mid-1860s to late 1870s), the two major parties that remained were the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. However, it's important to note that these parties were racially and regionally divided due to the impact of Reconstruction policies and post-Civil War tensions.
It is worth mentioning that there were other minor parties like the Know-Nothing Party, which was a nativist party that opposed immigration and Catholic influence. However, its influence waned before the end of the Reconstruction era.
To acquire further information on the specifics of each party's platform, it is advisable to consult historical sources, books, and scholarly articles that provide a more comprehensive analysis of the subject matter.