First Party System (1861-1874)[]
These parties remained unofficial until the election of 1872. The New Democrats never organized, and had died down by 1872. This Party system was short lived, however.
Party Name | Pioneer(s) | Idea(s) |
---|---|---|
Centrist Party | John C. Breckinridge | Strong Central Government |
Confederalist Party | Zebulon B. Vance | Nullification, States' Rights |
Fire-Eater Party | Robert B. Rhett | Slave Trade, Nationalism |
New Democrats | Alexander H. Stephens | Relations with USA, Congressional Power |
Second Party System (1875-)[]
The key part of this was the decline of the Confederalist party after Zebulon Vance's horrible presidency and the growth of the Conservative party, which was in favor of protecting slavery and against immigration, and even in extreme cases against the freedom of religion. Also, the Industrial Party, a rebirth of the American Whig Party, was developed by four congressmen in 1878. When the Confederalist Party disbanded, the Centrist party was renamed as the Demoratic party.
Party Name | Founder/Leader | Idea(s) |
---|---|---|
Democratic Party | John Reagan | Jacksonian Democracy |
Conservative Party | George W.C. Lee | Slavery, Anti-Immigration |
Industrial Party | Burgess Gaither | Industry, Classic Liberalism |