The Democratic Party

The Democratic Party or Democrats is one of the two major political parties in the United States. The Democrats are the party of Clinton, Obama, Kennedy and Franklin Roosevelt. It is the home of the American left and is a member of the Progressive Alliance.

Brief History of the Democrats

Andrew Jackson founded the Democratic Party in 1828, making it the older of the two US Parties. It can trace its roots back to Thomas Jefferson and James Madison under the Democratic-Republicans. The party itself has been split a number of times including during the American Civil war between War Democrats and Peace Democrats. The party finally adopted a more liberal stance towards the end of the 19^th century, and has become associated with some of America’s greatest liberal achievements including the passage of the 19^th amendment guaranteeing women’s suffrage, the New Deal, The Civil Rights Act 1965, the enactment of Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act.

The Party dominated US Politics from the 1930s through until the 1970s with the almost continual election of Democratic Presidents, except for the interruption of Eisenhower. In addition to this they have managed to achieve an almost dominant position in controlling Congress as well.

Democratic Presidents

The Democrats have had 16 presidents, governing for 85 years in total. Five of these Presidents have served for at least 2 terms, with Roosevelt getting elected for four, and five has served one term. The Democrats have only had one President assassinated, rather than the Republicans who had two.

1. Andrew Jackson (1829-1837)
2. Martin Van Buren (1837-1841)
3. James K Polk (1845-1849)
4. Franklin Pierce (1853-1857)
5. James Buchanan (1857-1861)
6. Andrew Johnson (1865-1869)
7. Grover Cleveland (1885-1889) (1893-1897)
8. Woodrow Wilson (1913-1921)
9. Franklin D Roosevelt (1933-1945) – Died in Office
10. Harry S Truman (1945-1953)
11. John F Kennedy (1961-1963) – Assassinated
12. Lyndon B Johnson (1963-1969)
13. Jimmy Carter (1977 – 1981)
14. Bill Clinton (1993-2001)
15. Barack Obama (2009 – Present)

The official count is 16 Presidents as Grover Cleveland served two terms that were inconsecutive.

Electoral Performance

Since 1950, the Democrats have controlled the House of Representatives for a total of 46 years, with the longest period of control being from 1954 through until 1994. During the same period in the Senate, they have controlled the chamber for 44 years. The Democrats are also the party which has held the triple crown the most. The triple crown is the name given to a situation whereby one party has majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, plus it controls the Presidency.

Policy Platform

The Democrats typically follow a liberal policy platform that means they are classified as a centre left party. In economics they favour an expanded social security programme, increasing taxes on the wealthy, tax cuts for low earners, increases in the minimum wage, universal health care, public education, cuts in defensive spending, and equal pay.

In social policy Democrats support campaign finance reform, voting rights, same-sex marriage, access to abortions, immigration reform, gun control, opposition to torture and LGBT rights. Whilst not out right opposing the death penalty, the Democrats just support it less than the Republicans.

Find Out More

The Democratic Party

Democrats on Youtube

Bill Clinton Library

Jimmy Carter Library

Lyndon Johnson Library

John F Kennedy Library

Harry Truman Library

Franklin Roosevelt Library

Democrats in the Senate

Democrats in the House