Political parties and musical chairs
To the editor:
The Federalists was the first political party in the United States which was created in 1787. This was closely followed by the supporters of Thomas Jefferson who called themselves Democratic-Republicans. This took place in 1796. In 1828 Andrew Jackson changed the Democratic-Republicans to just Democrats. Those who were anti-Jackson Democrats began their own party identified as the National Republican, this party then morphed into the Whig party.
In 1854, with the issue of slavery now in debate, along with that of the supporters of states’ rights, the Whig party was fractured by elements of that party forming a new political group which was labeled the Know-Nothing Party. Because the issue of slavery and states’ rights was best identified by North and South geography, the Free Soil party, which opposed slavery, was born in Buffalo, New York. Its first presidential candidate was John C. Fremont in 1856.They in turn, out of this political group, formed the present day Republican Party.
The citizens who voted in 1860 had a varied choice of which political party to support. There was at this time the Northern Democrats, Southern Democrats, Republican and Constitutional-Union Party all hanging out their shingle of purpose. Abraham Lincoln, the Republican candidate, won the election thus paving the path to the Civil War.
After the Civil War the birth and death of political parties was witness to several small third-party offerings. They included the supporters of Victoria Woodhull, the first woman to run for president, who was a member of the Equal Rights Party. She was partnered with the black American Frederick Douglass. This occurred in 1872.
The People’s Party of the USA saw the light of day in the 1890s. In 1912, the Republican Party was splintered into a group christened as The Progressives, or Bull Moose Party.
The 1920s, on the heels of the Russian Revolution, saw in our country the rise of yet another party. Arriving into the fray was The Socialists.
At the conclusion of World War II, the political process was still in flux. The Southern Democrats created the States Rights Party, better known as the Dixiecrat Party. This was closely followed by the American Independent party led by the then-governor of Alabama, George Wallace.
The 1970s saw the political banner of the Libertarian party touting the mantra of individual rights.
In the 1990s, H. Ross Perot of Texas produced the Reform party.
What we have learned from this political process here in the United States is that various factions, thoughts and economic considerations, as well as the Constitutional rights of its citizens, are constantly in play.
This small history of the political turmoil in this country may yet once again see a fracturing of the major parties because of the independent actions and determination of Donald Trump. The political divide is currently very strong. They say that politics makes for strange bedfellows. Today we are witness to the reality of that statement.
We have no choice but to sit back, pour ourselves a fair-sized drink and enjoy the ride.
Joseph L. Kibitlewski
Cape Coral
Political parties and musical chairs
To the editor:
The Federalists was the first political party in the United States which was created in 1787. This was closely followed by the supporters of Thomas Jefferson who called themselves Democratic-Republicans. This took place in 1796. In 1828 Andrew Jackson changed the Democratic-Republicans to just Democrats. Those who were anti-Jackson Democrats began their own party identified as the National Republican, this party then morphed into the Whig party.
In 1854, with the issue of slavery now in debate, along with that of the supporters of states’ rights, the Whig party was fractured by elements of that party forming a new political group which was labeled the Know-Nothing Party. Because the issue of slavery and states’ rights was best identified by North and South geography, the Free Soil party, which opposed slavery, was born in Buffalo, New York. Its first presidential candidate was John C. Fremont in 1856.They in turn, out of this political group, formed the present day Republican Party.
The citizens who voted in 1860 had a varied choice of which political party to support. There was at this time the Northern Democrats, Southern Democrats, Republican and Constitutional-Union Party all hanging out their shingle of purpose. Abraham Lincoln, the Republican candidate, won the election thus paving the path to the Civil War.
After the Civil War the birth and death of political parties was witness to several small third-party offerings. They included the supporters of Victoria Woodhull, the first woman to run for president, who was a member of the Equal Rights Party. She was partnered with the black American Frederick Douglass. This occurred in 1872.
The People’s Party of the USA saw the light of day in the 1890s. In 1912, the Republican Party was splintered into a group christened as The Progressives, or Bull Moose Party.
The 1920s, on the heels of the Russian Revolution, saw in our country the rise of yet another party. Arriving into the fray was The Socialists.
At the conclusion of World War II, the political process was still in flux. The Southern Democrats created the States Rights Party, better known as the Dixiecrat Party. This was closely followed by the American Independent party led by the then-governor of Alabama, George Wallace.
The 1970s saw the political banner of the Libertarian party touting the mantra of individual rights.
In the 1990s, H. Ross Perot of Texas produced the Reform party.
What we have learned from this political process here in the United States is that various factions, thoughts and economic considerations, as well as the Constitutional rights of its citizens, are constantly in play.
This small history of the political turmoil in this country may yet once again see a fracturing of the major parties because of the independent actions and determination of Donald Trump. The political divide is currently very strong. They say that politics makes for strange bedfellows. Today we are witness to the reality of that statement.
We have no choice but to sit back, pour ourselves a fair-sized drink and enjoy the ride.
Joseph L. Kibitlewski
Cape Coral
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