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What is the primary focus of Chapter 2 in the POLS 3314 - Legislative Process course?
What is the primary focus of Chapter 2 in the POLS 3314 - Legislative Process course?
Which party held the majority in Congress from 1790-1800?
Which party held the majority in Congress from 1790-1800?
After 1800, which party became the majority, and who was their elected president?
After 1800, which party became the majority, and who was their elected president?
Which party replaced the Federalists and shared similar philosophies?
Which party replaced the Federalists and shared similar philosophies?
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What economic policy did the Whigs support to bolster the national economy?
What economic policy did the Whigs support to bolster the national economy?
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In contrast to the Whigs, what banking system did the Democrats advocate for?
In contrast to the Whigs, what banking system did the Democrats advocate for?
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What issue was governed by the Missouri Compromise of 1820 ?
What issue was governed by the Missouri Compromise of 1820 ?
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Which political party emerged as an anti-slavery party in the North?
Which political party emerged as an anti-slavery party in the North?
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What event prompted the secession of 11 southern states from the Union?
What event prompted the secession of 11 southern states from the Union?
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During which era did the First Party System emerge in the United States?
During which era did the First Party System emerge in the United States?
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What were the primary points of contention between Hamilton's Federalists and Jefferson and Madison's political faction during the First Party System?
What were the primary points of contention between Hamilton's Federalists and Jefferson and Madison's political faction during the First Party System?
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Which political figure championed a stronger national government during the First Party System?
Which political figure championed a stronger national government during the First Party System?
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What institutional machinery did political parties develop to coordinate and unify their members' votes in Congress?
What institutional machinery did political parties develop to coordinate and unify their members' votes in Congress?
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When did standing committees become a regular feature of Congress?
When did standing committees become a regular feature of Congress?
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What mechanism did early Congresses find inefficient for discussing bills as a whole?
What mechanism did early Congresses find inefficient for discussing bills as a whole?
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Which topic is NOT explicitly mentioned as a key debate during the early years of the American government?
Which topic is NOT explicitly mentioned as a key debate during the early years of the American government?
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Which political issue is described as 'inevitable' in the early years of the American government?
Which political issue is described as 'inevitable' in the early years of the American government?
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Which piece of legislation aimed to mitigate the effects of the Great Depression?
Which piece of legislation aimed to mitigate the effects of the Great Depression?
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What was the primary purpose of the Administrative Reorganization Act?
What was the primary purpose of the Administrative Reorganization Act?
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The 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution pertains to what aspect of the presidency?
The 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution pertains to what aspect of the presidency?
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What impact did the "Reed Rules" and the "Senate Four" have on the power dynamics in Congress during the Gilded Age?
What impact did the "Reed Rules" and the "Senate Four" have on the power dynamics in Congress during the Gilded Age?
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Which act aimed to weaken the national position on organized labor?
Which act aimed to weaken the national position on organized labor?
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How did the 17th Amendment change the election process for senators?
How did the 17th Amendment change the election process for senators?
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Which amendment eliminated the poll tax?
Which amendment eliminated the poll tax?
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What was the primary purpose of the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921?
What was the primary purpose of the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921?
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What was the principal focus of the Civil Rights Act of 1968?
What was the principal focus of the Civil Rights Act of 1968?
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What change did the 26th Amendment bring to voting rights?
What change did the 26th Amendment bring to voting rights?
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Which executive branch office was created as a result of the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921?
Which executive branch office was created as a result of the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921?
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What is the effect of the Apportionment Act of 1929 on the House of Representatives?
What is the effect of the Apportionment Act of 1929 on the House of Representatives?
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How did the War Powers Resolution aim to limit presidential authority?
How did the War Powers Resolution aim to limit presidential authority?
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Which act established the Congressional Budget Office?
Which act established the Congressional Budget Office?
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What is a 'lame-duck session' in the context of the U.S. Congress?
What is a 'lame-duck session' in the context of the U.S. Congress?
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Which of the following describes an 'agency problem' related to elected officials?
Which of the following describes an 'agency problem' related to elected officials?
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What does a NOMINATE score of -1 indicate about a legislator's political leanings?
What does a NOMINATE score of -1 indicate about a legislator's political leanings?
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Which amendment granted women the right to vote?
Which amendment granted women the right to vote?
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What significant legislative action did Congressional Republicans take during the Civil War to address the issue of slavery?
What significant legislative action did Congressional Republicans take during the Civil War to address the issue of slavery?
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What was Andrew Johnson's primary objective for Reconstruction after the Civil War?
What was Andrew Johnson's primary objective for Reconstruction after the Civil War?
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What was the core purpose of the Fourteenth Amendment?
What was the core purpose of the Fourteenth Amendment?
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What did the Fifteenth Amendment prohibit?
What did the Fifteenth Amendment prohibit?
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What role did Congress assume during Reconstruction, contrasting with the pre-war era?
What role did Congress assume during Reconstruction, contrasting with the pre-war era?
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What action did Congress take to enforce the rights of newly freed slaves in the South?
What action did Congress take to enforce the rights of newly freed slaves in the South?
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What was the primary purpose of the poll tax, literacy tests, and residency requirements implemented in Southern states after Reconstruction?
What was the primary purpose of the poll tax, literacy tests, and residency requirements implemented in Southern states after Reconstruction?
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What prompted the decline of Northern support for Reconstruction?
What prompted the decline of Northern support for Reconstruction?
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Study Notes
Chapter 2: The Historical Development of Congress
- The course is POLS 3314 - Legislative Process
- The instructor is Dr. Bianca Easterly
- The book is titled "The United States Congress" (Second Edition)
- Authors: E. Scott Adler, Jeffrey A. Jenkins, Charles R. Shipan
Objectives
- Explain the parties and issues that dominated each of the four party systems
- Analyze how Congress has expanded and restricted the powers of the executive branch over the course of history
Chapter 2 Timeline
- Antebellum Era (1789-1861): Mid-1790s - First Party System (Federalists and Jeffersonian Republicans)
- Second Party System (1830s-mid-1850s): Whigs and Democrats
- Third Party System (1861-1932): The Civil War through the Early 1930s
- The New Deal (1933-Present): The continued course of history
Notable Features of the First Period
- A body built on norms and temporary structures
- Emergence of political parties to expedite governing
- Notable Battles: Federal government's role in economy and the role of the federal government in developing the new nation
- Battle over slavery was inevitable
Committees
- Committees were established to discuss bills, as a whole, which proved time-consuming.
- Standing committees emerged in the 1810s.
- Committees served as repositories of information and expertise, important to policymaking
Parties
- Hamilton favored a stronger national government.
- Hamilton's supporters did not always work together on key votes, creating institutional machinery (informal whip system, caucuses, floor leaders).
- Jefferson and Madison championed stronger states' rights.
First Party System (1790-1800)
- Hamilton's Federalists vs. Jefferson and Madison's Jeffersonian Republicans
- Federalists were the majority in Congress and based in the Northeast
- Federalists represented financial and commercial interests.
- Jeffersonian Republicans took over after Jefferson's presidential win in 1800, representing the common people and agrarian/worker interests
Second Party System (1830s–Mid-1850s)
- Whigs (Clay, Adams, and Webster): Believed in national economic development, high tariffs, and infrastructure investments.
- Democrats (Andrew Jackson, Van Buren): Favored low tariffs, state projects, and decentralized banking.
The Second Party System
- Parties existed outside of Congress.
- Interregional (free and slave states)
- Slavery shaped the political landscape and was governed by the Missouri Compromise (1820).
- Conflicts developed, but the system effectively resolved debates on the issue of slavery.
The Third Party System
- Rise of the Republican Party (Antislavery)
- Abraham Lincoln’s election in 1860 triggered the secession of eleven southern states. This led to the formation of the Confederacy.
The Civil War Through the Early 1930s (1861-1932)
- Congressional Republicans continued their pursuit of ending slavery.
- Two confiscation laws were passed to emancipate enslaved people.
- Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
- The Thirteenth Amendment was passed and ratified in 1865
Reconstruction
- Lincoln's assassination led to Andrew Johnson becoming president.
- Congress aimed to control Reconstruction policy by returning power to the presidency, accepting states back into the union while enforcing pledges of allegiance, and recognizing the 13th Amendment.
- The Fourteenth Amendment granted citizenship to formerly enslaved people.
- A significant decrease in support for Reconstruction occurred in 1874 amidst growing economic depression
- Reconstruction ended in 1877
The Gilded Age and Progressive Era (1870-1920)
- “White redemption in the South”
- Industrialization and national economic growth
- Political and economic corruption
- The Progressive Era involved shifting societal priorities and the democratization of political processes
- Republicans focused on economic policy
- The federal government promoted infrastructure development (railroads, canals, and rivers).
- Interest groups grew in power, which aided in policy-making.
- Congressional career paths became more prevalent.
The Gilded Age and Progressive Era (1870-1920)
- Parties gained significant power in Congress, partly due to the Reed Rules (House) and Senate Four. This allowed majority parties to control policymaking.
- Committee government became a major structure for power in the House of Representatives by emphasizing seniority.
- Key constitutional amendments occurred during the era: 16th (income tax), 17th (direct election of senators), and 19th (women's suffrage).
- The 20th Amendment adjusted the congressional calendar.
The Gilded Age and Progressive Era (1870-1920)
- Institutional Presidency, empowering the office with substantial capacity and authority.
- Budget and Accounting Act (1921) set the groundwork for presidential budget submission requirements.
- The Bureau of Budget (now called the Office of Management and Budget) was created to assist the president with budget requests.
- The Apportionment Act of 1929 limited the House size to 435.
Lame-Duck Sessions
- "Lame-duck session" refers to a session of Congress following a November election, when some members have been reelected and others have not. These sessions can face agency problems if a disconnect arises between elected representatives and the constituencies they serve.
The New Deal Through Present (1933-Present)
- First New Deal addressed the Great Depression.
- Second New Deal aimed to “level the playing field" through social change.
- Social Security Act, National Labor Relations Act, Revenue Act, Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, Federal Fair Labor Standards Act, and Administrative Reorganization Act
World War II and Its Aftermath
- Congress sought to reign in the executive branch after World War II and strengthen institutions.
- The Administrative Procedures Act codified standards and provided for judicial review of executive agency actions.
- Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 streamlined committee systems and enhanced professional staffing in the House and Senate.
- The 22nd Amendment limited presidential terms.
- The Presidential Succession Act established the line of presidential succession.
- The Taft-Hartley Act weakened organized labor.
LBJ's Great Society
- Initiatives such as Head Start, Job Corps, Medicare, Medicaid, and VISTA aimed to address various societal needs
- Head Start: Provided extra academic assistance to disadvantaged children
- Job Corps: Offered training to youth in inner cities
- Medicare/Medicaid: Provided health insurance for the elderly and disabled
- VISTA: Organized youth volunteers to assist in economically distressed areas
Civil Rights and the Great Society
- During the 1960s, significant civil rights movements occurred.
- The 24th Amendment eliminated poll taxes in federal state and local elections.
- The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in various aspects.
- The Voting Rights Act of 1965 eliminated restrictions.
- The Civil Rights Act of 1968 prohibited discrimination in housing.
Watergate and Congressional Reassertion
- In response to Watergate, Congress enacted reforms.
- The War Powers Resolution mandated presidential consultation before using military forces.
- The Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 created congressional committees to analyze the president's budget and prevented the president from indefinitely rejecting congressional spending.
- The Freedom of Information Act increased transparency of federal agencies.
The Reagan Revolution and Beyond
- The 1980s (Reagan era) marked a period of significant party polarization in Congress, with greater instances of single-party control.
- The 1990s (Clinton Era) saw a shift toward divided government, where control of the presidency and chambers of Congress was not held by the same party.
Ideology in Congress – NOMINATE SCORES
- NOMINATE scores provide a gold standard for analyzing legislator ideology.
- Scores range from -1 (most liberal) to +1 (most conservative) to determine a legislator's ideological position by comparing their votes over time.
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Description
This quiz focuses on Chapter 2 of 'The United States Congress', highlighting the historical development of Congress through its party systems. Students will analyze the dynamics of political parties from the Antebellum Era to the New Deal and their impact on the legislative process. Prepare to explore the evolution of congressional powers and significant historical events.
