Most students will be surprised to learn that the modern U.S. two party political system did not always exist and that our Constitution makes no provision for political parties. Hands-on historical documents, newspapers, broadsides, campaign posters and photos trace the issues, growth and changes in American politics. Scenes from the 19th-century campaign trail and two collections of political cartoons enliven this topic. Documents concerning Nixon, JFK and Reagan update this Jackdaw. Historian: Christine Scriabine. The contents of this Jackdaw feature:

• Political Parties before the Civil War
• The Modern Democratic Party
• The Republican Party
• Third Parties

• Selections from Journal of William Maclay, United States Senator from Pennsylvania, 1789-1791.
• Letter from Robert McMullen, Chairman of the Democratic Republican Committee, 1808.
• Tally of the 1824 Electoral College vote.
• Campaign newspaper, The Harrisonian, August 1840.
• Democratic broadside, Fourth Massachusetts Congressional District, c. 1852.
• Scenes from the 19th century campaign trail.
• Examiner’s questions for admittance to the American (Know-Nothing) Party, July 1854.
• Scrapbook of 19th century political cartoons.
• Excerpts from Horse Sense, by Samuel W. Allerton, 1896.
• Building a third party: the Progressive Party, 1912.
• Campaign broadside targeted at women voters, 1924.
• The New Deal in cartoons, 1933-1944.
• Draft of John F. Kennedy campaign address, “Why I Am a Democrat,” October 1946.
• Scenes from the 20th century campaign trail.
• Richard M. Nixon resignation letter, August 1974, and memo to Watergate Special Prosecutor Leon Jaworski, August 1974.
• Excerpt, Ronald Reagan’s welcoming speech, Republican National Convention, New Orleans, August 1988.
• Poster of American political party memorabilia, 1844-1980.
• Abraham Lincoln and Hannibal Hamlin campaign poster, 1860.