The Democratic Party is one of the two major political parties in the United States. It is also considered to be one of the oldest in U.S. history. While most people know someone who says they are a Democrat, many people don’t really know what that means. How did the Democratic Party get started? And what makes someone a Democrat?
We can answer these and other questions by reviewing 10 facts about the Democratic Party.
10 Facts About The Democratic Party
Take a look at these interesting facts that you may not know about the Democratic Party.
1. It is the Oldest Surviving Political Party
The Democratic Party is the oldest surviving political party in the U.S. It can be traced back to 1792. First, it was called the Democratic-Republican Party, which was led by Alexander Hamilton. It wasn’t until 1824, that opposing views caused the factions to separate, creating the Democratic and Republican Parties separately. That was the first year that each party nominated an individual for President.
2. The History of the Donkey
Some people will say that the donkey on the Democrat logo is appropriate because they believe Democrats are asses. That’s actually not far off from where the symbol originates. The symbol dates back to the early 19th century when Andrew Jackson first used it after his opponents called him a “jackass”. Jackson used the donkey during his campaign, and the symbol became a symbol for stubbornness.
The symbol gained popularity when cartoonist Thomas Nast began to use it while working at Harper’s Weekly magazine. His cartoons depicting the donkey would eventually become a permanent symbol. Now, however, Democrats say the symbol is a reflection of the hardworking qualities of Democrats.
3. Democrats were Influential in the First National Convention
In 1832, the Democratic party organized the very first national political convention. Andrew Jackson was tasked with defining the rules for the Democratic party. Andrew Jackson was President at the time, having won the election in 1828. The goal of the national convention was to better establish the Democratic Party using a platform that supported the goals, values, and traditions of the Democratic Party.
4. Democrats Were Divided Over Slavery
In the 1850s, the Democratic Party itself experienced tension within. The issue was expanding slavery to the West. Northern Democrats believed that each territory should decide the future of slavery therein. Southern Democrats wanted slavery to be allowed in every territory.
5. There Have Been 15 Democratic Presidents
Out of a total of 46 Presidents of the United States (including current President Joe Biden). Of those 46, 15 have been Democrats.
6. There are more Democrats than Republicans
In 2019, a survey indicated that there are more Democrats than Republicans in the U.S. 31% of respondents identified as Democrat, while only 30% identified as Republican. A larger percentage (38%) identified as having no affiliation with either party.
7. Democrats are More Liberal than Republicans
You may be aware that Democrats, by and large, are more liberal than Republicans. But did you know that 46% of Democrats adopt a liberal point of view? Only 39% consider themselves moderate, and 14% consider themselves conservative.
8. Democratic Voters are More Diverse Than Ever
Over the past few decades, Democratic voters have become increasingly diverse. Racial and ethnic diversity is at the centre of politics, and Democrats seem to be paving the way. In 2017, the number of White Democratic voters decreased significantly, while the number of Hispanic, Black, and Asian-American Democratic voters increased from 24% to 39%.
9. Democrats are Not As Divided as Republicans
Within the party, Democrats are not as divided on major issues as Republicans are. Democrats consistently have less division on topics like same-sex marriage, racial equality, and immigration. Around three-quarters of Democrats have similar opinions on these important matters.
10. Democrats Historically Support the Same Issues
Historically, Democratic voters support the same issues, with many of those issues being long-standing in the U.S. Some of the issues that Democrats fervently support include:
- Same-sex marriage
- Resolving healthcare costs
- Separation of church and state
- Strict gun regulation
- Pro-choice stance on abortion
Most people know that Democrats tend to be more liberal than Republicans. But there is a lot that people don’t readily know about the Democratic Party, how it was formed, and the impact it has had on U.S. history. The 10 facts discussed above should help anyone better understand the political party.
