Simone Lawson
Political parties and factions have played a significant role in shaping the United States Constitution. The formation of political parties began during the struggle over the ratification of the federal Constitution, with Federalists and Anti-Federalists emerging as the first rival parties. Over time, party practices and customs evolved, with senators adopting the first party-based customs in the Senate in the 1830s and 1840s, such as sitting on opposite sides of the chamber and controlling committee assignments. Party leaders have also centralized power in their offices, influencing the daily operations of the Senate. The Constitution Party, an ultra-conservative political party, interprets the Constitution based on originalist interpretations and religious principles. The evolution of political parties and their influence on constitutional matters demonstrate the dynamic nature of the United States' political landscape and the ongoing efforts to shape the country's governing document.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Party practices and customs in the Senate | Democrats sat to the right of the presiding officer, and Whigs sat to the left |
| Party power centralization | Varies; Lyndon B. Johnson of Texas controlled the agenda, while his successor Mike Mansfield gave individual senators more authority |
| Party formation | Political factions formed during the struggle over the ratification of the federal Constitution of 1787, with Federalists supporting a strong central government and Anti-Federalists advocating for states' rights |
| Gerrymandering | Incumbents draw the boundaries of their congressional districts to maintain power, a practice that began early in the republic with Elbridge Gerry, one of the signers of the Constitution |
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What You'll Learn
The Federalists vs. the Anti-Federalists
Political parties began to form during the struggle over the ratification of the federal Constitution of 1787. The Federalists and the Anti-Federalists were the two opposing sides in this debate. Led by Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, the Federalists wanted a strong central government. They believed that class distinctions mattered and that it was better for the country if the wealthiest and most educated people were in charge. John Adams was another famous Federalist.
The Anti-Federalists, led by Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, advocated states' rights instead of centralized power. They believed that a strong central government would threaten the freedom of individuals. They also thought that the Constitution did not provide enough protection for individual citizens. Other famous Anti-Federalists included Samuel Adams and Patrick Henry.
The Federalists won the initial debate when the new Constitution became the official governing document in the United States in 1788. However, the Anti-Federalists rallied to ratify the Bill of Rights in 1791, ensuring that individual liberties were protected through 10 amendments. The Federalists and Anti-Federalists continued to fight over the future of the US government throughout the Federal period, with women also taking sides in these debates despite having to be careful not to be too outspoken due to social hierarchies.
The formation of these political parties was an inventive American response to political conflict, and the friction between them increased as attention shifted from creating a new federal government to determining its power. The Federalists coalesced around the commercial sector, while the Anti-Federalists drew strength from those favoring an agrarian society. The Anti-Federalists never organized efficiently across all thirteen states, so they had to fight the ratification at every state convention, ultimately succeeding in ensuring protections for individual liberties.
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The role of the federal government
Political parties have played a significant role in shaping the US government, despite the Constitution's lack of mention of them. The emergence of political factions, known as Federalists and Anti-Federalists, during the ratification of the Constitution laid the foundation for the modern-day party system. The Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton, advocated for a strong central government, while the Anti-Federalists, led by Thomas Jefferson, favoured states' rights and opposed centralized power. This divide over the role of the federal government has persisted throughout US history and continues to shape policy debates today.
The early 1800s saw the rise of the Democratic-Republican Party, led by Thomas Jefferson, which favoured states' rights and agrarian society. As the country expanded and industrialized, the need for a stronger federal government and national infrastructure became more apparent. This led to the creation of the National Republican Party, which supported a national bank and federal funding for internal improvements such as roads and canals. The Democratic Party, which emerged in 1828 with the election of Andrew Jackson, also contributed to the expansion of the federal government's role, particularly in economic affairs.
The 20th century witnessed an evolution in party leadership, with figures like Lyndon B. Johnson centralizing power and shaping the legislative agenda. Party leaders became increasingly influential in the daily operations of the Senate, often at the expense of individual senators and standing committees. This trend has continued, with party leaders playing a crucial role in shaping legislation and policy.
The Constitution Party, an ultra-conservative political force, has also influenced the debate on the role of the federal government. The party advocates for a strict interpretation of the Constitution, seeking to reduce federal authority in areas such as taxation, social security, and environmental regulation. They oppose federal restrictions on medical treatments and support the phasing out of social security, citing individual welfare concerns.
In conclusion, the evolution of party practices and customs has significantly impacted the role of the federal government in the US. The tension between federal power and states' rights has been a recurring theme, with different parties advocating for varying degrees of centralization. The federal government's role has expanded over time, particularly in response to economic and infrastructure development needs. Today, party leaders exert considerable influence over legislative processes, shaping the direction of the country's policies and priorities.
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Party leaders' centralized power
Party leaders' centralization of power has evolved over the decades, with varying approaches taken by different leaders. For instance, Democratic Leader Lyndon B. Johnson of Texas preferred to exert firm control over his party's agenda, utilizing tools like committee assignments and legislative logrolling to rally support. In contrast, his successor, Mike Mansfield of Montana, favoured delegating authority to individual senators and standing committees. The power of party leaders has also been institutionalized through Senate procedures and traditions, such as seating arrangements and recognition priority, which grant leaders greater influence over the agenda.
The formation of political parties themselves dates back to the struggle over the ratification of the federal Constitution in 1787, with Federalists and Anti-Federalists emerging as the first factions. Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton, advocated for a strong central government, while Anti-Federalists, led by Thomas Jefferson, championed states' rights. Party divisions were further influenced by foreign relations and the role of the federal government, with senators aligning themselves based on support for or opposition to the policies of Presidents George Washington and John Adams.
The evolution of parties and their leaders' centralized power continued into the 1830s and 1840s, with the Democrats and Whigs adopting the first party-based customs in the Senate. Senators from the two parties sat on opposite sides of the chamber, and the majority party controlled chairmanships and committee seats. During this period, each party determined committee assignments for its members, subject to Senate approval. However, senators from both parties continued to be divided along sectional lines, and policy coordination within parties was less frequent.
The role of party leaders became more pronounced in the 1920s and 1930s, with the emergence of powerful floor leaders like Alabama senator Oscar Underwood, who asserted his influence through seating choices and control over the agenda. Over time, party leaders have become increasingly integral to the daily operations of the Senate, reflecting the enduring impact of party practices and customs on the functioning of the US political system.
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Party-based customs in the Senate
Political factions or parties began to form during the struggle over the ratification of the federal Constitution of 1787. The Federalists, led by Secretary of Treasury Alexander Hamilton, wanted a strong central government. On the other hand, the Anti-Federalists, led by Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, advocated states' rights instead of centralized power. The Federalists largely represented New England and Mid-Atlantic states, while the Anti-Federalists, or the Democratic-Republicans, were dominant in the South.
In the 1830s, the Democrats and Whigs adopted the first party-based customs in the Senate. Members of the two parties began sitting on opposite sides of the Senate Chamber, with the Democrats sitting to the right of the presiding officer and the Whigs to the left. The party in the majority controlled the chairmanships and a majority of seats on most, if not all, of the standing committees. In the 1840s, each party determined committee assignments for their members and submitted lists of assignments to be approved by the full Senate. Senators from the two parties clashed over several issues, including the Bank of the United States, import tariffs, and federal funding of infrastructure.
During the 1920s and 1930s, the increasing strength of party floor leaders was institutionalized through Senate procedures and traditions. For example, the presiding officer adopted the practice of giving the two party leaders priority recognition over all other members, thus allowing them to control the agenda of the floor. Similarly, Democratic Leader Lyndon B. Johnson of Texas used tools like committee assignments and unanimous consent agreements to rally support for the often-divided Democratic Conference.
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Redistricting
The United States Constitution does provide some guidelines on redistricting. Article I, Section 2 stipulates that congressional representatives be apportioned to states based on population size, with each state allotted a proportion of the 435 seats in the House of Representatives. This means that a state may gain or lose seats depending on population changes relative to other states. The Supreme Court ruled in 1964 that the populations of House districts must be equal "as nearly as practicable".
However, the Constitution does not set out a specific process for redistricting, leaving it to the states to decide. Article I, Section 4 grants state legislatures the authority to determine the "times, places, and manner" of holding elections for senators and representatives. This has resulted in varying redistricting methods across the country.
The Supreme Court has issued rulings on redistricting, addressing issues such as the consideration of race in drawing district maps, the use of total population tallies, and the constitutionality of redistricting commissions. While the Court has ruled that racial gerrymandering violates federal law, it has not established a clear precedent on partisan gerrymandering as of 2017.
To address gerrymandering and promote fair redistricting, some have proposed the creation of nonpartisan commissions to draw district boundaries, respecting local community boundaries and promoting compact and cohesive districts.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitution Party is an ultra-conservative political party in the United States that promotes a religiously conservative interpretation of the principles and intents of the United States Constitution. The party was founded by conservative activist Howard Phillips after President George H. W. Bush went back on his pledge of "read my lips: no new taxes".
Political factions or parties began to form during the struggle over the ratification of the federal Constitution of 1787. The Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton, wanted a strong central government, while the Anti-Federalists, led by Thomas Jefferson, advocated states' rights instead of centralized power.
In the 1830s, members of the two major parties, the Democrats and Whigs, began sitting on opposite sides of the Senate Chamber. In the 1920s and 1930s, the increasing strength of party floor leaders became institutionalized through Senate procedures and traditions, such as giving priority of recognition to party leaders over other members.
Incumbents often draw the boundaries of their congressional districts to keep themselves in power, a practice known as "gerrymandering". This has led to proposals for a nonpartisan commission to create districts that are compact and cohesive, respecting the boundaries of local communities.
