Handout
Alabama Humanities Foundation

Encyclopedia of Alabama: Know Nothing Party

For Students 9th - 10th
The Know-Nothing Party, a semi-secret political party from the mid-1800's, is explained in this report. The party lasted only a brief time, for its main purpose was to curb immigration and naturalization led by fear that the German and...
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement: The First American Party System: Events, Issues, and Positions

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this Curriculum Unit, students will consider "The First American Party System: Events, Issues, and Positions" in 3 Lessons. The unit also includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
Activity
CNN

Cnn: Democratic Party History

For Students 9th - 10th
CNN provides a brief account of Democratic party history from the party's origins in the Democratic-Republican party to the present, including information on the era preceding the Civil War.
Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Third Party (United States)

For Students 9th - 10th
An explanation of the role of third parties, their history, and some notable third party candidates can be found in this Wikipedia article.
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Working for the Party | 60 Second Presidents

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This instructional activity focuses on the influence party system has on American presidents. Some presidents were willing to do whatever their party said, while others were much more independent. Students will view videos featuring...
Website
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: Third Party and Independent Candidates

For Students 9th - 10th
Outline of the party system in the U.S. Describes the history and organization of the two party system and how it has been inlfuenced by third party and independent candidates.
Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Whig Party (United States)

For Students 9th - 10th
Wikipedia offers detailed information on the United States Whig Party. Includes info on the creation, growth and end of the Whig Party.
Graphic
Digital Public Library of America

Dpla: Battle on the Ballot: Political Outsiders in Us Presidential Elections

For Students 9th - 10th
This exhibition explores the rich history of select individuals, parties, events, and movements that have influenced US presidential elections from the outside-outside Washington politics, outside the two-party system, and outside the...
Handout
Other

Nhi: Unrestraint Begets Calamity: "The American Whig Review," 1845 1852

For Students 9th - 10th
Scroll through this scholarly site from the National Humanities Institute to find information about the Whigs' role in the Compromise of 1850 and the end of its political clout by the election of 1852.
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.
Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Libertarian Party (United States)

For Students 9th - 10th
Wikipedia offers a lengthy overview of the Libertarian Party in the United States. Good definitions, facts, and arguments about whether the Libertarian Party is on the right or left of the political spectrum.
Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Reform Party of the United States of America

For Students 9th - 10th
This Wikipedia encyclopedia entry for Ross Perot's 1992 third-party presidential bid and his Reform Party of the 1990s provides history, platform issues, and related information and links.
Activity
Library of Congress

Loc: Learning Page: Party System

For Students 9th - 10th
The Library of Congress provides a quick look at the American Party System.
Article
Siteseen

Siteseen: Government and Constitution: The Federalists

For Students 9th - 10th
Fun facts and an overview of the Federalists, the first American political party and formed by Alexander Hamilton, the Secretary of the Treasury, John Adams, and Gouverneur Morris.
Website
University of Virginia

Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: Franklin Pierce: The American Franchise

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about the political party leanings of immigrants in the 1850s and the backlash against immigrants as reflected in political platforms.
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement: 1828 Campaign of Andrew Jackson and Growth of Party Politics

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this Curriculum Unit, students will consider "The 1828 Campaign of Andrew Jackson and the Growth of Party Politics" in 4 Lessons. The unit also includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
Website
University of Virginia

Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: Franklin Delano Roosevelt: The American Franchise

For Students 9th - 10th
Informative discussion on FDR and the Democratic Party coalition that primarily consisted of African-Americans, union members, women, Mexican-Americans, and recent immigrants. This "New Deal" coalition provided power for the Democrats...
eBook
OpenStax

Open Stax: The Kansas Nebraska Act and the Republican Party

For Students 11th - 12th
Students will learn about the political ramifications of the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the founding of the Republican Party.
Unknown Type
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Ap Us History: Period 6: 1865 1898: Politics in the Gilded Age

For Students 9th - 10th
This practice exercise from Khan Academy covers Period 6: 1865-1898 in American History. Politics in the Guilded Age is reviewed in this resource. This resource is designed as a review for the AP US History Test.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: What Is Your Affiliation?

For Students 9th - 10th
Political parties have platforms that describe their principles and issue stances in areas such as taxes, education and immigration. Answer the questions to see which party (Democratic, Republican, Green and Libertarian) is your best fit.
Website
Other

The African American Experience

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides information on African American history. Includes information on the following topics: slave and free in St. Louis, African-American immigration, segregated religion, African-American education, segregated housing, roots of...
Website
Other

The African American Experience

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides information on African American history. Includes information on the following topics: slave and free in St. Louis, African-American immigration, segregated religion, African-American education, segregated housing, roots of...
Website
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: Agrarian Distress and the Rise of Populism

For Students 9th - 10th
Article outlines the rise of the Populist Movement in the U.S. as a result of a declining economy, agrarian distress and dissatisfaction with American politics in late 19th Century.
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.