Political parties have been with the United States since the first competitive presidential election in 1796. Despite George Washington’s warnings of the dangers from such divisions, political parties are very much part of our country’s history, as well as of the ways our government has operated and will likely continue to do so.
A new primary source set from the Library of Congress supports teachers and students in investigating how parties have changed over time and the various roles and functions of political parties.
Highlights include maps that show election results by party, photographs of individuals participating in party meetings and events, audio recordings of political speeches, documents from notable third parties, and an oral history interview with a member of a third party from the civil rights era.
As you use this set with your students, let us know their insights! What sources are most compelling or surprising? Encourage your students to use these primary sources to spark their own inquiry about the role and impact of political parties and how they have changed over time.