Democratic Party (United States) facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids Democratic Party

Abbreviation	Dem., D
Chairperson	Ken Martin
Governing body	Democratic National Committee
Senate Minority Leader	Chuck Schumer
House Minority Leader	Hakeem Jeffries
Founders	Andrew Jackson Martin Van Buren
Founded	January 8, 1828; 198 years ago (1828-01-08)
Preceded by	Democratic-Republican Party
Headquarters	430 South Capitol St. SE, Washington, D.C., U.S.
Student wing	High School Democrats of America College Democrats of America
Youth wing	Young Democrats of America
Women's wing	National Federation of Democratic Women
LGBTQ wing	National Stonewall Democrats
Overseas wing	Democrats Abroad
Ideology	Liberalism (US) Factions: Progressivism (US)
Political position	Center to center-left
Caucuses	Blue Dog Coalition New Democrat Coalition Congressional Progressive Caucus
Colors	Blue
Senate	45 / 100
House of Representatives	214 / 435
State governors	24 / 50
State upper chambers	841 / 1,973
State lower chambers	2,399 / 5,413
Territorial governors	2 / 5
Territorial upper chambers	21 / 97
Territorial lower chambers	9 / 91
Election symbol
Formal Traditional
Politics of the United States Political parties

The Democratic Party is one of the two major political groups in American politics. It shares the stage with its primary rival, the Republican Party. Started in 1828, it is celebrated as the oldest active political party on the planet. Its general ideas sit in the center and center-left of political beliefs. Many thinkers describe its main style as modern American liberalism.

Throughout its long existence, this party has influenced how laws are created across the nation. It supports strong public services and wants fairness for all citizens. Today, it stands for better access to schools and health programs. It also champions green initiatives like renewable energy to safeguard planet Earth. It has seen 16 members serve as president of the United States.

History of the Democratic Party

Andrew Jackson was the first president elected from the party.

The beginnings of the organization reach back to the Democratic-Republican Party. That group was formed by early leaders such as Thomas Jefferson and James Madison during 1792. It opposed the Federalist Party and wanted a smaller federal government. After the War of 1812, the country entered the Era of Good Feelings, when only one party existed. Soon, leaders began disagreeing on key topics, leading to new factions.

In 1828, supporters of general Andrew Jackson and leader Martin Van Buren built a new national group. This moment created the modern Democratic Party. They championed the everyday citizen and supported farming communities across the country.

The Early 1800s and Jacksonian Democracy

Martin Van Buren helped build the national organization.

In the 1830s, the party followed an idea known as Jacksonian democracy. These early leaders favored individual rights for common workers and small farmers. They were cautious of rich corporations and fought a political conflict called the Bank War. They wanted to stop monopolies that seemed unfair to ordinary people.

During this era, its top political competitor was the Whig Party, guided by figures such as Henry Clay. The two groups argued heavily over taxes and government spending. Democrats favored lower import taxes called tariffs to keep manufactured goods inexpensive. Presidents like James K. Polk expanded the nation across North America.

Slavery and the Civil War Era

Stephen A. Douglas ran for president in the election of 1860.

By the 1850s, arguments about slavery tore the nation apart. Some anti-slavery members separated to build the Republican Party. Others created the Free Soil Party to prevent slavery from moving west.

In the fateful election of 1860, the Democrats broke into two teams. Stephen A. Douglas led the Northern group, while John C. Breckinridge ran for the Southern group. This deep divide allowed Republican leader Abraham Lincoln to win office. When the American Civil War broke out, Northern Democrats split between War Democrats, who backed the Union military, and Peace Democrats.

Reconstruction and the Gilded Age

Grover Cleveland served two non-consecutive terms in the White House.

After the war ended, the nation entered the Reconstruction period. In the late 19th century, conservative leaders called Bourbon Democrats guided party ideas. These leaders, including Samuel J. Tilden, fought against government waste and supported the gold standard for currency.

President Grover Cleveland won the White House in 1884 and again in 1892. He remains famous as the only president to serve two non-consecutive four-year terms. Cleveland stood up for lower tariffs and wanted honest government management.

The Progressive Era

Woodrow Wilson and party leaders in 1913.

At the end of the 19th century, farmers demanded economic help. In 1896, a gifted public speaker named William Jennings Bryan took over leadership. He wanted silver coins to assist poor rural families, but lost to William McKinley.

Later, in 1912, governor Woodrow Wilson was elected to the presidency. Wilson brought forward many progressive ideas to regulate big businesses. He set up the federal income tax system and created rules to protect consumers. Wilson also guided the country through the terrible years of World War I.

The New Deal and Franklin D. Roosevelt

Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman on a campaign poster.

The year 1929 brought an economic crisis called the Great Depression. Banks collapsed and millions of families lost their livelihoods under president Herbert Hoover. In 1932, the public elected Franklin D. Roosevelt to bring relief to the nation.

Roosevelt immediately launched an ambitious recovery plan named the New Deal. This program built dams, bridges, and parks to create jobs for out-of-work citizens. It also established Social Security to help older Americans retire with dignity. He formed the mighty New Deal coalition, bringing together labor unions, city workers, and diverse communities. When Roosevelt passed away in 1945, his vice president Harry S. Truman led the country during the end of World War II.

The Civil Rights Movement and the Great Society

John F. Kennedy inspired youth and promoted space travel.

During the 1960s, president John F. Kennedy inspired a whole generation of younger citizens. His platform, called the New Frontier, funded science research and supported the space program to send astronauts on an expedition to the moon. After his death, vice president Lyndon B. Johnson took the oath of office.

Johnson achieved major victories for human rights by passing the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. These landmark laws ended legal segregation and protected voting booths for African Americans. Johnson also created the Great Society, which introduced medical care programs called Medicare and Medicaid.

Troubles soon arrived with the unpopular Vietnam War. Protests broke out across university campuses, leading to unrest at the 1968 Democratic National Convention. Republican candidate Richard Nixon won the White House, beginning a period of political changes.

The Late 20th Century and Modern Reforms

Jimmy Carter promoted peace and human rights.

In 1976, former Georgia governor Jimmy Carter won the presidency. Carter worked hard to make peace between conflicting nations and created new environmental rules. However, high prices and global troubles led to victory for Republican Ronald Reagan in 1980.

To win future elections, the group needed fresh thinking. In 1992, Arkansas governor Bill Clinton won the election by presenting himself as a centrist "New Democrat." Clinton supported a mixed economy, worked on balancing the federal budget, and helped pass the NAFTA trade deal.

The 21st Century

Barack Obama became the first African-American president in 2008.

In 2008, history was made when Barack Obama became the nation's first African-American president. His term was marked by responses to a severe economic downturn through an economic stimulus law. He also signed the Affordable Care Act, which granted access to doctor visits and health care for millions of citizens.

Later, in 2020, former vice president Joe Biden was elected to lead the nation. His running mate, Kamala Harris, made history by becoming the first woman and person of South Asian descent to hold the vice presidency. During his term, Biden passed the huge Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to fix roads and bridges.

Famous Symbols and Party Colors

Thomas Nast drew early political cartoons of the donkey mascot.

The Democratic Party has several famous symbols that appear on bumper stickers, posters, and signs. The best known mascot is the stubborn and hardworking donkey. This emblem started in 1828 when critics called Andrew Jackson names. Jackson decided to embrace the animal because it was determined and down-to-earth. Famous cartoonist Thomas Nast made the donkey famous in magazine drawings during the 1870s.

In some states, candidates previously used a rooster on local voting paper. Today, voters recognize the color blue as the visual mark of the party. Television networks introduced this design during the election of 2000, creating the terms blue states and red states. The group also uses an upbeat party song titled "Happy Days Are Here Again," which was first played for Franklin D. Roosevelt.

How the Democratic Party Operates

Headquarters building located in Washington, D.C.

The everyday work of managing campaigns belongs to the Democratic National Committee. This central group sets up large gatherings like the Democratic National Convention, where members choose their presidential candidate. It works with local branches located across every single state and U.S. territory.

Young people take part through groups like the High School Democrats of America and the College Democrats of America. These clubs encourage students to volunteer, organize community projects, and learn how laws are written. Citizens living outside America can take part through an organization called Democrats Abroad.

Major Goals and Political Beliefs

Economic fairness and wage growth remain central Democratic goals.

Members share common ideas about using the government to assist families and protect fair treatment. They focus on economic security, healthy ecosystems, and broad voting access.

Economic Ideas and Fair Wages

Democrats believe that regular workers are the foundation of a healthy country. They support strong labor unions that bargain for safer workplaces and fair compensation. They also support raising the national minimum wage to help families afford groceries and rent.

They propose a progressive tax system where wealthy corporations pay a larger share to fund community needs. These taxes pay for public schools, clean drinking water, and safe roads. They also defend programs like Social Security so seniors can retire safely.

Schools and Learning for Everyone

Education is seen as the greatest tool for personal success. The party wants to expand free preschool through programs like Head Start. They also support giving extra classroom funds to neighborhoods that need help.

For older students, Democrats want to make universities more affordable. They propose boosting student funding through Pell Grants and lowering the cost of college student loans.

Protecting Nature and Fighting Climate Change

Voters often express strong support for clean power solutions.

Caring for wild places and natural resources is another primary mission. Democrats view climate change as an urgent threat caused by pollution and greenhouse gases. Former vice president Al Gore won the famous Nobel Peace Prize for teaching people about saving the global environment.

The party promotes clean power like giant wind turbines and rooftop solar panels. In 2022, they passed the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 to invest heavily in clean energy development. They believe shifting away from fossil fuels will keep the air fresh while generating new jobs.

Equal Rights for All Citizens

Democrats strongly believe that every person deserves fair treatment under the law. They work to protect voting rights by making it easier for citizens to cast ballots on election day. They support laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act to remove physical barriers in public buildings.

The party also celebrates civil rights leaders like congresswoman Shirley Chisholm. She inspired millions when she became the first African-American woman to seek a major presidential nomination.

World Relations and Global Cooperation

In world affairs, Democrats prefer talking with allies to solve international problems peacefully. They believe working through groups like the United Nations helps stop conflicts before they begin.

They strongly support democratic partners around the globe. When conflicts threaten peaceful regions, Democrats favor sending supplies and financial aid to defend freedom. They also back fair agreements between countries to exchange goods smoothly.

Wings and Groups Within the Party

Progressive leaders Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders.

The Democratic Party is made up of diverse viewpoints. Members often organize into smaller teams to debate and share suggestions.

Liberals: This is the largest group within the party. They strongly favor clean energy rules, funding public health programs, and defending individual liberties.
Moderates: Often called "New Democrats," this group looks for practical middle ground. They work with groups like the New Democrat Coalition and support balanced budgets alongside sensible market rules.
Progressives: This left-leaning wing wants faster, bolder changes. Leaders like senator Bernie Sanders and representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez support single-payer healthcare and debt-free public colleges.

List of Democratic Presidents

Throughout American history, 16 different leaders from the party have served as the president of the United States.

Number	President	Home State	Dates in Office
7	Andrew Jackson	Tennessee	1829–1837
8	Martin Van Buren	New York	1837–1841
11	James K. Polk	Tennessee	1845–1849
14	Franklin Pierce	New Hampshire	1853–1857
15	James Buchanan	Pennsylvania	1857–1861
17	Andrew Johnson	Tennessee	1865–1869
22 & 24	Grover Cleveland	New York	1885–1889 and 1893–1897
28	Woodrow Wilson	New Jersey	1913–1921
32	Franklin D. Roosevelt	New York	1933–1945
33	Harry S. Truman	Missouri	1945–1953
35	John F. Kennedy	Massachusetts	1961–1963
36	Lyndon B. Johnson	Texas	1963–1969
39	Jimmy Carter	Georgia	1977–1981
42	Bill Clinton	Arkansas	1993–2001
44	Barack Obama	Illinois	2009–2017
46	Joe Biden	Delaware	2021–2025