Article
Siteseen

Siteseen: Government and Constitution: Free Soil Party

For Students 9th - 10th
This article contains an overview of the history of the Free Soil Party, its leaders, their beliefs, and eventually joined with the National Union Party to form the newly formed Republican Party in 1854.
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: Democrat or Republican

For Teachers 6th - 8th
During this lesson, students will begin to understand the differences between the two major political parties that exist in the United States of America. Students will have the opportunity to discuss the roles of each presidential...
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.
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.
Unit Plan
The Dirksen Congressional Center

Congress for Kids: Elections: Political Parties

For Students 3rd - 5th
Read this brief summary of the two political parties in the United States, and then write about what you know about the parties.
Website
Other

National Republican Congressional Committee

For Students 9th - 10th
The official site of the National Republican Congressional Committee.
Handout
Legislative Reference Library of Texas

Legislative Reference Library of Texas: Party Affiliation

For Students 9th - 10th
A table showing the numbers of Democrats and Republicans in each session of the Texas Legislature since 1870. Clicking on a session brings up a list of all the legislators, with links to their information.
Activity
Other

A Brief History of the Two Party System

For Students 9th - 10th
This site is a web-article on the brief history of the two party system.
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs News Hour: Lesson Plan: The Presidential Nominating System

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This lesson plan may be used to introduce students to the system of primaries and caucuses by which candidates for U.S. president are nominated by their parties. After completing this lesson plan, students will understand the process by...
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs News Hour: Lesson: The Presidential Nominating System

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This instructional activity may be used to introduce students to the system of primaries and caucuses by which candidates for U.S. president are nominated by their parties. After completing this instructional activity, students will...
Website
University of Virginia

Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: William Mc Kinley: The Campaign and Election of 1896

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about the campaign of 1896 in which William McKinley represented the Republican Party and William Jennings Bryan the Democratic Party. One big issue was the contrast between the use of the gold standard as opppsed to free silver.
Website
PBS

Pbs: American Experience: Mark Hanna

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief biography of Republican Party "kingmaker," Mark Hanna, who was primarily responsible for the candidacy of William McKinley in the election of 1896.
Handout
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: Factionalism and Political Parties

For Students 9th - 10th
Find out about the rise of regionalism and factionalism in the development of political parties involved in the elections of 1824 and 1828.
Primary
Ohio State University

Temperance & Prohibition: Prohibition Party Cartoons

For Students 9th - 10th
A great collection of political cartoons from the Prohibition Party which heaped criticism on both the Republican and Democratic parties concerning their lack of support for prohibition. Find out when the Prohibition Party was at its...
Website
Other

Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library: 1916 Election

For Students 9th - 10th
Here is a multi-faceted look at the election of 1916. Read about the politics of the Democratic and Republican Parties and the results of the election. Also, find out about the interests of immigrants, women, African-Americans, and...
Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Woodrow Wilson: Win the Election of 1912

For Students 9th - 10th
In this interactive feature, you'll get the chance to form your own political party and try your hand at winning the Presidential Election of 1912. The election of 1912 featured four candidates: Woodrow Wilson, William Howard Taft,...
Handout
Library of Congress

Loc: Today in History: June 22: Houdini & Bull Moose Born

For Students 9th - 10th
Read here to learn about the 1912 break in the Republican party that led Teddy Roosevelt to establish the Progressive, or Bull Moose, party and learn about Houdini and the historical events of June 22.
Website
Other

The Garfield Observer: Stalwarts, Half Breeds, and Political Assassination

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a concise description of the turmoil in the Republican Party leading up to the campaign and election of 1880. How or whether to reform the patronage system was at the heart of the selection of a candidate. Find out about the...
Lesson Plan
Schools of California Online Resources for Education

Score: Mt. Carmel High School: In Praise of Political Parties

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Wonderful group instructional activity from Mt. Carmel High School that lets your learners select a political party and do research and an oral presentation on that party.
Website
Ohio History Central

Ohio History Central: Bull Moose Party

For Students 9th - 10th
Find out about the spilt in the Republican Party during the campaign of 1912, which resulted in the formation of the Bull Moose Party, the progressive party which selected Theodore Roosevelt as its candidate.
Website
Other

Sinn Fein: Irish Republican Party

For Students 9th - 10th
The political arm of the Irish Republican Army (IRA), which has made significant gains of peace and negotiation with Loyalist and British parties.
Handout
Texas State Library and Archives Commission

Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Forever Free: The 1860s: Rise of Radical Republicanism

For Students 9th - 10th
Here is a brief article on the beginning of the Republican political party in Texas in 1867. which soon split into two factions.
Handout
Diffen

Diffen: Democrat vs. Republican

For Students 9th - 10th
An in-depth article describing the two political parties in the United States. Read the side-by-side comparison followed by the article which contains an excerpt from an interview and some visuals to reinforce the learning.
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Two Parties Emerge

For Students 5th - 8th
Although George Washingon denounced the creation of political parties, they came roaring into play in the election of 1796 in which John Adams, representing the Federalists, ran against Thomas Jefferson, who represented the...

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