Free course on the presidency. One paragraph per day.
2.10 The framers quickly embraced political parties because of their advantages. Party organizations exist independently of the government. They help mobilize and organize people to support candidates with their votes, their money, and their time. Political parties can help voters, too, by making clear how their candidates and policies are different and superior. Political parties can also help sitting presidents build support for their preferred policies. With such advantages, it is no surprise that the first two national parties formed during the administration of our first president, George Washington. The Federalists emerged around 1789, while the Democratic-Republicans formed in 1792.
Image: Lyndon B Johnson by Arnold Newman, W.H. Press Office
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