The first phase of American political history was characterized by the conflict between the Federalists and the Republicans, and it resulted in the complete triumph of the latter.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
During the election of Washington's successor, it became apparent that the country was sharply divided and that the dissatisfaction with Federalist policies was deep and fervent.
Partisanship particularly increased after the 1994 elections and then the appearance of the first unified Republican government since the 1950s.
Then as now, whatever disagreements over policies existed among Americans - and there were many such bitter policy disputes - the purposes and goals for which Americans fought were clearly understood.
The polarization of Congress; the decline of civility; and the rise of attack politics in the 1980s, the 1990s, and the early years of the new century are a blot on our political system and a disservice to the American people.
In addition to the decline in competition, American politics today is characterized by a growing ideological polarization between the two major political parties.
My big subject as a historian is how Americans divide themselves. What are the divisions that structure our political lives. Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan were perfect foils for that story.
Prosperity is necessarily the first theme of a political campaign.
First of all, there's no mention of political parties in the Constitution, so you begin American history with not only no political conventions but also no parties.
The first thing that I really understood politically and was old enough to get was the failed assassination attempt on Reagan.
When Jefferson and the Republicans rallied to the Union and to the existing Federalist organization, the fabric of traditional American democracy was almost completely woven.