POLS 3600: Political Parties

Group Project

Throughout history there were many political parties that influenced the American political system but never were able to elect a president. These are known as third parties. You will work on a collaborative project which will present information about one of these parties at the end of class.

In addition to presenting the information, you will also turn in a report describing your colleagues’ work on your project as well as your own. These reports will count in your grade.

Parties to choose from (year provided for the time frame)

v Anti-Mason (1832)

v Free Soil (1844)

v Know-Nothing (1852

v Populist (1892)

Information to present:

v History of the party

v Other groups involved with the party – explain their impact in its development

v Description of election during which the party was most influential – explain how so

v Media interpretation at the time of the third party – analyze the coverage

v Major party impact – explain in what ways the third party affected either of the major parties at the time