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The US has multiple political parties, but the Democratic and Republican parties are the major ones. The Green and Libertarian parties have large memberships. Ralph Nader boosted the growth of the Green Party, while the Libertarian Party was founded by David Nolan. The Democratic Party was founded by Thomas Jefferson and emphasizes helping the poor and fighting for equality, while the Republican Party was founded by people opposed to slavery and emphasizes individual responsibility and entrepreneurship.
The United States has a multiple political party system, but the Democratic Party and the Republican Party are by far the two major American political parties. The Green Party and the Libertarian Party are two other American parties with a large membership base.
The first meetings of the Green Party in the United States occurred in 1984, with the first candidate not appearing on the ballot until 1986. Ralph Nader’s selection of the Green Party as his preferred political party did much to boost growth of the American “Greens”. When Nader announced in November 1995 that he would run in the California Green Party primary, states where the party previously had no presence began forming active groups. Nader was entered on 22 state ballots and as a write-in pick in 23 other states.
David Nolan founded the Libertarian Party in Colorado on December 11, 1971. A philosophy professor at the University of Southern California (USC) named Roger MacBride ran as the party’s candidate in the 1976 presidential race. Tonie Nathan was the her vice president, and was the first American woman to receive an electoral vote. The Libertarian Party gained ballot status in 1976 in 32 states and was elected to all states in 1980.
The Democratic Party in the United States was founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1792. It was known as the Common Man’s Party and was called the Democratic-Republican Party at that time. Jefferson believed that political leaders shouldn’t be chosen on the basis of status and wealth. He became the first Democratic president and his original vision of helping the poor and fighting for equality remains part of the Democratic platform today. Famous Democratic presidents include Andrew Jackson, Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR), John F. Kennedy (JFK), Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.
The Republican Party, also known as the Grand Old Party (GOP), was founded in 1854 by people opposed to the continuation of slavery. When Republican Abraham Lincoln was elected president of the United States in 1860, 60 years of Democratic leadership ended. The party’s central beliefs include individual responsibility and entrepreneurship. The GOP also emphasizes private aid organizations over institutionalized welfare. Republicans believe that it is up to the individual to govern himself with minimal government intervention. Famous Republican presidents include Theodore Roosevelt, Dwight David Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, Ronald Regan and George Bush.
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