From approximately 1792 – 1824, existed the first party system in American politics. This model featured two political parties that had to compete for control of the states, the Presidency and the Congress. There were two main national parties; the Federalist and the Democratic - Republican Party, called the Republican Party most of the time. The first of the two was founded by Alexander Hamilton and the second by James Madison and Thomas Jefferson. Currently, there are two main political parties in the United States, although not only two parties exist; still, similar structure in the federal government. The U.S is best categorized as a Federal Presidential Constitutional Republic, speaking about the present day.
During the first party system, there was the Federalist party, which was dominating the spotlight until the 1800´s, it started to sink in the American people the ideas of Republicanism, along with liberalism that came from the documents that were being written in the years to come, like the Declaration of Independence in 1776, or the Bill of Rights in 1781, the Constitution during 1787. These documents influenced the people and vice versa. Because of the time period, the monopoly of the two main national parties started growing, leaving behind small organizations. This political party especially appealed to the business community. Also, the Federalist Party looked up to Britain due to the political stability that they admired, along with its republicanism.
On the other hand, there was the Republican Party, which dominated the political scenario after the beginning of the 1800´s. This party unlike the Federalists who preferred Britain, the French and the French Revolution were aspects sought after by the Republicans. On this political party, they were hostile to a strong navy and army, feared a strong executive branch and encouraged the plantations in the south. This first party system came to an end during the Era of the Good Feelings, which was a time from 1816 and 1824. During these years, America reflected on its sense of purpose and preferred national unity among their fellow Americans after the War of 1812. In the Presidential election of 1824, the Democratic-Republican Party divided into two groups that were the Democratic and Republican parties, now like two completely different entities. This, along with the collapse of the Federalist Party, brought the first party system of the United States, to its end, leading to the start of the Second Party System.
The Second Party System is described as the period between 1828 and 1854, after the Democratic-Republican Party had divided into the Democratic and the Republican Parties. Starting around 1828, people started to become more interested in politics. They started voting more, attending more to political rallies, and gave birth to a loyalty towards their party. During this time period, there were two major political parties, the Democratic, and the Whig Party, which was made up of members of the Republican Party and others who opposed Andrew Jackson. Like previously mentioned, these were the two major parties, but not the only ones; during that same time, there was also the Liberty Party, the Free-Soil Party and the Anti-Masonic Party. This Second Party System helped the American people get more involved in shaping their government, as well as to participate more in their communities and political platforms.
In conclusion, the way America has evolved is showed in the way politics are today. Now there are more rights for more social groups. After the Era of the Good Feelings, the identity of the American people grew. They developed nationalism after the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. They also helped grow a sense of national unity among Americans. Feelings such as Republicanism, unity and the necessity to participate politically have been passed down from generation to generation of Americans. These values, along with some like all men are created equal, or the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are what identifies America today.
The first two party systems brought up the main political ideologies, some which are still to date. But also, the American identity with the concept of natural rights, involvement in their political platforms along with political organizations whose creations date back to the very founding of our country.
