U.S. Democratic Party

The Democratic Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with its main rival, the Republican Party. Tracing its heritage back to Thomas Jefferson and James Madison’s Democratic-Republican Party, it was founded around 1828 by supporters of Andrew Jackson; making it the world’s oldest active party. Since then, Democrats have held a majority in both houses of Congress for most years since World War II and controlled the presidency for all but four periods from 1933 to 2021.

Ideology & Platforms

The modern Democratic Party promotes classical liberal ideals such as individual autonomy under government protection; an internationalist foreign policy combined with strong defense spending; progressive taxation on wealthier citizens coupled with targeted social welfare programs like Social Security and Medicare; environmentalism focused on conservation while investing into renewable energy sources ;and civil rights that safeguards minority groups’ rights against discrimination based upon sex or race within public institutions.

Leadership & Structure

The current Chairperson is former U.S Representative Tom Perez who leads a national executive committee comprised of 544 members representing each state/territory’s delegation assigned according to population size (i.e., California has more delegates than Wyoming). Members vote every four years at their quadrennial convention where they ratify official platform documents outlining their stance on various issues as well as selecting party leadership including Presidental Nominees if necessary (as happened during 2020 when Joe Biden won over Bernie Sanders). Additionally there are hundreds autonomous committees which focus on specific topics like fundraising or outreach efforts which operate independently from National HQ offices located Washington Dc area .
Frederick Douglass statue outside DNC headquarters in DC |alt=A bronze statute depicting Frederick Douglass holding a book standing atop pedestal surrounded by flagpoles|thumb]]

History & Legacy

Throughout history Democrats have championed causes related but not limited too: Abraham Lincoln’s emancipation proclamation ending slavery throughout US territories after Civil War , Woodrow Wilson passing first version income tax amendment 1913 , Franklin Roosevelt introducing New Deal policies during Great Depression 1930s , Lyndon Johnson enacting Voting Rights Acts 1965 ensuring minorities right cast ballot free intimidation harassment etc .. They were also instrumental passage Medicaid Act 1965 creating healthcare system poor disabled elderly populations plus providing economic stimulus packages alleviate effects 2008 Financial Crisis . As result today many Americans consider them protectors civil liberties personal freedoms while advocating certain levels governmental intervention ensure fair equitable society everyone regardless class status gender identity ethnicity background etc …. In addition being longest standing American Political organization Democratics left indelible mark culture country through countless politicians activists helped shape face America we know today example Barack Obama 44th president United States served 2 terms office 2009 2017 famously championing Affordable Care Act 2010 allowing millions previously uninsured individuals gain health insurance coverage … Overall legacy democratic party will continue serve model civic participation advocacy engender hope peaceful transition power generations come .