Interactive
American Presidency Project

American Presidency Project: Political Party Platforms

For Students 9th - 10th
On this site you will find the political party platforms of all parties from 1840 to the current year. A great resource and an interesting way to do comparing and contrasting.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: Democracy in America: Political Parties: Mobilizing Agents

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This unit examines the significance of political parties in American politics, highlighting their functions, differences, and influence on the public for political decision making. Offers video, readings, web resources, and activities.
Unit Plan
C3 Teachers

C3 Teachers: Inquiries: Political Parties

For Teachers 12th
A comprehensive learning module on political parties that includes three supporting questions accompanied by formative tasks and source materials, followed by a summative performance task. Students will explore which international and...
Activity
Other

Guide to American Political Parties

For Students 9th - 10th
Complete directory of the political parties that are active in the United States. Links to each party's website are included along with a brief overview of each one with major players.
Unit Plan
The Dirksen Congressional Center

Congress for Kids: Elections: Political Parties

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Lesson plans on elections and the role of political parties. Find multiple choice quizzes, vocabulary, and a role play of a candidate in a town meeting.
Primary
PBS

Pbs: American Experience: Progressive Party Platform, 1912

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides text of the Progressive Party platform in 1912. In this primary source document, the Bull Moose Party declares its stance on issues of the 1912 election.
Primary
Other

Democratic Party Platform, 1864

For Students 9th - 10th
The page reproduces the text of the Democratic Party Platform of 1864.
Website
Other

America First Party

For Students 9th - 10th
The official homepage of the America First Party provides information about its platform and politics. What the party finds newsworthy is also revealing.
Handout
Vassar College

Vassar College: Democratic Party Platform, July 9, 1896

For Students 9th - 10th
This "1896, A Website for Political Cartoons" site provides text of the actual platform stating the Democratic stand on "The Money Question." of 1896.
Handout
Vassar College

Vassar College: 1896: Populist Party Platform

For Students 9th - 10th
This 1896, Website of Political Cartoons page presents the People's (Populist) Party platform of 1896. The platform discusses the finances, railroads and telegraphs, the public lands, the referendum, the territories, public salaries,...
Activity
PBS

Pbs Online News Hour: Natural Law Party Platform

For Students 9th - 10th
"The Natural Law Party has an action plan to revitalize America". This site provides with the issues and platform on many different issues for the Natural Law Party in the United States.
Primary
Curated OER

History Matters: The Omaha Platform: Launching the Populist Party

For Students 9th - 10th
This History Matters website provides the Populist Party platform, as well as a brief write-up introducing this primary resource, which marked the formation of a new -- though short lived -- political party.
Website
Other

The Natural Law Party of the United States of America

For Students 9th - 10th
The homepage of the Natural Law Party of the United States provides its platform, relevant news, and many informational resources.
Activity
Other

Copernicus Election Watch: History of the Parties

For Students 9th - 10th
This site has a great timeline that tracks the history of the Democratic, Republican, and some Independent Third Parties. Also some excellent links at the bottom of the page.
Activity
PBS

Pbs Online News Hour: Green Party History

For Students 9th - 10th
PBS Online provides this profile of the Green Party in the United States and other nations.
Article
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: The Tech: Democratic Platform Cautiously Balances Diverse Party Opinions

For Students 9th - 10th
Article suggests the broad and seemingly contradictory statements in the 1996 Democratic Party Platform result in a "middle of the road" or "centrist" document. (August 27, 1996 - Op ed)
Website
Vassar College

1896: The Republican Party

For Students 9th - 10th
From the comprehensive Vassar College project about the politics of 1896, this article relates the state of the Republican Party in that year and its party platform for the election of 1896.
Website
Other

Reform Party National Committee

For Students 9th - 10th
The official homepage of the Reform Party of the United States provides its platform as well as current news. The Reform Party is a diverse populist party with a moderate platform.
Website
Other

Irish Labor Party

For Students 9th - 10th
The website of the Irish Labor Party, covering news, events, elected politicians and candidates, and its political platform.
Website
Other

Liberal.ca: The Liberal Party of Canada

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource outlines the Liberal Party's political platform and strategies for implementation. A wealth of information is provided through text, original documents, and multimedia.
Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Green Party of the United States

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from the encyclopedia Wikipedia provides an overview and history of the Green Party of the United States. Gives a definition and a good historical description.
Website
PBS

Now With Bill Moyers: Politics and Economy: Election 2004: Third Parties

For Students 9th - 10th
NOW looks at the third parties, the candidates, and platforms, in October, 2004, for the 2004 Presidential election. Biographical information and video discussions can be found on this page.
Website
Other

Green Party of Canada/parti Vert Du Canada, Gpc/pvc

For Students 9th - 10th
Increasingly the Green Party has been successful in democratic politics in Canada. The Greens are a party that has comparable parties in Europe and the United States. The party is primarily interested in maintaining sustainable...
Website
Other

Libertarian Party of Canada

For Students 9th - 10th
The Libertarian Party of Canada is a party that articulates a political ideology where a government is restrained and people are "free" to pursue property rights and personal "freedom". It is a small party that attempts to run candidates...