Coalition is a group of people with a common interest upon which every political party depends.
1796-1824: The first party system.
-Madison warned of 'factions.'
-Federalist: first political party.
1828-1856: Jackson and the Democrats versus the Whigs.
-Modern party founded by Jackson.
-Whigs formed mainly to oppose Jacksonian Democrats
1860-1928: Two Republican eras.
-Rose as antislavery group.
-1896 election centered on industrialization.
1932-1964: The New Deal Coalition.
-Forged by the Democrats.
-Urban working class, ethic groups, Catholics, Jews, the poor, and Southerners.
1968-Present: Era of Divided Party government.
-Divided government is when one party controls Congress and the other controls the White House.
-Divided government was due to:
*Party dealignment: disengagement of people from parties as evidenced by shrinking party identification.
*Party neutrality: people are indifferent to the two parties.
