The Democrats: A Critical History

Review of "The Democrats: A Critical History" by Matthew D. Lassiter

The Democratic Party is one of the two major political parties in the United States. It is the oldest existing political party in the world, founded in 1828 by supporters of Andrew Jackson. The party's platform is generally based on a commitment to social justice, economic equality, and environmental protection. The Democrats have been responsible for many of the most important progressive reforms in American history, including the New Deal, the Great Society, and the Affordable Care Act.

The Democrats: A Critical History

by Lance Selfa

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	520 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	358 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

In his new book, "The Democrats: A Critical History," Matthew D. Lassiter offers a comprehensive and incisive look at the history of the Democratic Party. Lassiter is a professor of history at the University of Michigan and the author of several books on American politics. In this book, he draws on a wide range of sources to provide a nuanced and balanced analysis of the party's successes and failures.

Lassiter begins by tracing the origins of the Democratic Party in the early 19th century. He shows how the party was founded by a coalition of farmers, laborers, and immigrants who were opposed to the policies of the Federalist Party. The Democrats quickly became the dominant party in the United States, and they remained in power for most of the 19th century.

Lassiter then examines the Democratic Party's role in the Civil War and Reconstruction. He shows how the party was divided on the issue of slavery, and how this division led to the party's defeat in the Civil War. After the war, the Democrats worked to rebuild the South and to protect the rights of African Americans. However, they were often unsuccessful in these efforts, and the party's reputation was tarnished by its association with racism.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Democratic Party underwent a major transformation. The party became more progressive, and it began to embrace the cause of social justice. The Democrats also became more closely aligned with organized labor and the urban working class. This transformation led to the party's victory in the presidential election of 1932, and to the New Deal era.

The New Deal was a series of programs and policies that were designed to help the United States recover from the Great Depression. The New Deal had a mixed record of success, but it did help to lay the foundation for the modern American welfare state. After the New Deal, the Democrats continued to be the dominant party in American politics. They controlled the presidency for most of the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s.

In the 1960s, the Democratic Party underwent another major transformation. The party became more closely aligned with the civil rights movement and the anti-Vietnam War movement. This transformation led to the party's victory in the presidential election of 1964, and to the Great Society era.

The Great Society was a series of programs and policies that were designed to address the problems of poverty, racism, and inequality. The Great Society had a mixed record of success, but it did help to make America a more just and equitable society. After the Great Society, the Democrats continued to be the dominant party in American politics. They controlled the presidency for most of the 1970s and 1980s.

In the 1990s, the Democratic Party began to lose ground to the Republican Party. The party suffered a series of electoral defeats, and it lost control of the House of Representatives and the Senate. In 2000, the Democrats lost the presidential election to George W. Bush. The Democrats regained control of the House of Representatives in 2006, and they regained control of the Senate in 2008. However, they lost control of the House of Representatives again in 2010, and they lost control of the Senate again in 2014.

In 2016, the Democrats lost the presidential election to Donald Trump. The Democrats regained control of the House of Representatives in 2018, but they lost control of the Senate again in 2020. The Democrats regained control of the Senate in 2022.

Lassiter's book is a valuable contribution to the study of American history. It is a comprehensive and balanced look at the history of the Democratic Party. Lassiter provides a nuanced analysis of the party's successes and failures, and he shows how the party has played a central role in shaping American history.

The Democratic Party is a complex and ever-evolving institution. It has had its share of successes and failures, but it has also played a vital role in shaping American history. Matthew D. Lassiter's "The Democrats: A Critical History" is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to understand the history of this important political party.

The Democrats: A Critical History

by Lance Selfa

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	520 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	358 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE