Democratic and Republican Parties Timeline

Democratic Republican Party formed headed by Andrew Jackson. Favored limited national government.

First national party convention in an attempt to put political control in the hands of the people

Democratic Party splits into two factions

With the conclusion of the Civil War, the two factions reunited

The Democratic Party was firmly entrenched in American politics.

Franklin Roosevelt elected president. He helped bring America out of the Great Depression.

Whigs and Free-Soilers united to form the Republican Party, and they were strongly in favor of the abolition of slavery.

Abraham Lincoln elected president

Civil War Reconstruction caused the party to split into three factions.

Republican Party firmly entrenched in American politics.

James Knox Polk was elected president as leader of the Democrat Party and added a vast area to the U.S., but its acquisition precipitated a bitter quarrel between the North and the South over expansion of slavery

Martin Van Buren was elected president on the Democrat ticket. The party lost its popularity due to the Panic of 1837, the president was given the nickname 'Martin Van Ruin' and the electors turned their affiliation to the newly formed Whig party.

The election of Franklin Pierce and James Buchanan brought the Democrats into power

Ulysses Grant was elected President and the first leader of the re-named Republican Party.

Republican-controlled 38th Congress passes the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery.

With unanimous Republican support and against intense Democrat opposition, Congress passes the 14th Amendment.

Republican-controlled 66th Congress passes the 19th Amendment guaranteeing women the right to vote.

Republican-controlled 68th Congress and President Calvin Coolidge grant citizenship to Native Americans.

President Dwight Eisenhower signs the 1957 Civil Rights Act.

Sandra Day O’Connor, appointed by President Reagan, becomes first woman on the Supreme Court.

President Ronald Reagan calls for liberation of East Europeans from Communism with “Tear Down This Wall” speech.

Ronald Reagan is elected President of the United States by uniting economic libertarians and social conservatives within the Republican Party.

Democrat Barack Obama is elected president of the United States by winning states that traditionally vote Republican.