The History of Political Parties in America; From the First Impeachment to Franklin Roosevelt

Before Lincoln's assassination, a group of Republicans calling themselves 'Radicals' believed that Lincoln had no chance for re-election. This rift within the Republican Party led a group of Lincoln supporters to form another party called 'National Union.' This party also included some Democrats who supported the Civil War and the abolition of slavery. The leader of this group of Democrats was Andrew Johnson, who accompanied Lincoln as Vice President in the 1864 election. After Lincoln's assassination on April 15, 1865, Andrew Johnson became President. The divisions stemming from the Civil War remained, and conflicts between states and parties continued to the extent that Johnson was the first president to be impeached by the House of Representatives, but he managed to survive in the Senate by a narrow vote. After the Civil War, the industrialization period set the political backdrop in America. Capitalists supported both parties to ensure that the parties would support them in industry and investment. At the same time, a flood of immigrants seeking work and a better life was increasing in America. These immigrants settled in the major cities of America and supported the party that held power in these cities because the construction and industrialization processes were faster in large cities, guaranteeing jobs and security. The 1896 election marked a time when a very deep and fateful rift emerged between the two parties. The Democratic Party representative, William Jennings Bryan, made very harsh criticisms of capitalists, industrialists, and large companies, blaming them for the failures of farmers in the big cities. These statements led to his defeat in the election and established a new standard for the differences between the two parties. From this date on, the Republican Party became the party of big cities, workers, and industry, while the Democrats were limited to farmers and southern states, remaining the minority party. Among the next nine election cycles, Republicans only lost twice. Both times to Woodrow Wilson, first in 1912 due to a split within the Republican Party created by former President Theodore Roosevelt, and the second time in 1916, when Wilson narrowly won the election. In other words, from 1896 to 1932, Republicans won seven times, and the White House was held by Republicans for 36 years (except for Wilson's 8-year term). Eventually, Republicans handed over power to someone who is now recognized as one of the most important presidents in American history. In 1929, America entered a period of economic recession. Wall Street crashed, and many people became unemployed. Herbert Hoover, the then-Republican president, believed that the government should not intervene in the economy. However, his Democratic rival in the 1932 election, New York Governor Franklin Roosevelt, believed in significant changes. He won the election and took the White House back from the Republicans after a long time. With the beginning of Franklin Roosevelt's presidency, America entered a new era in its history, the effects of which remain to this day. Roosevelt's government followed the theories of the famous economist John Maynard Keynes, who advocated for government intervention in the economy to create balance. Roosevelt's government programs, known as the 'New Deal,' continue to be a focal point of discussion in economics and politics. This plan had a significant impact on the influence and popularity of both parties among the people. The Democratic Party, which was previously limited to southern states during the Civil War, was able to attract minorities, workers, small farmers, and African Americans. The Republican Party remained the party of capitalists and large companies. This popularity was a factor in Roosevelt's significant victory in the next election. However, Roosevelt is also distinguished in the history of American presidents for another important reason. Since George Washington announced in 1796 that he would not run for a third term, a tradition of limiting presidents to two consecutive terms had been established. However, Roosevelt, relying on his popularity and the Democratic Party, ignored this tradition and ran for a third consecutive term, winning the election in 1940. Thus, he became the first and only person to serve three consecutive terms as President of the United States. His significant challenge during his third term was World War II. People praised him as the leader of America during World War II. During this period, he attended the Allied conference in Tehran alongside Winston Churchill and Stalin. His popularity in leading America during the war was a factor in his victory in the fourth consecutive election in 1944. He set another record by becoming the first and only person to serve four consecutive terms as President of the United States. This led to the addition of the '22nd Amendment' to the U.S. Constitution in 1947. According to this law, no individual can serve as President of the United States for more than two consecutive terms. However, Roosevelt's fourth term was very short. Due to illness, even his inauguration ceremony was held on a small scale at the White House, and he ultimately passed away two months later on April 12, 1945. He is consistently ranked in most polls as one of the most important and influential presidents in American history.