Introduction

In politics, the name of the game is power, and political parties gain power by winning elections. If one party maintains power over several election cycles, it can significantly shape the nation’s foreign and domestic agendas and policies.

For power to switch from one political party to the other, especially when the dominant party has held power for multiple election cycles, large numbers, or blocs, of American voters have to switch party loyalty or realign to support a different political party or candidate. These “critical elections,” when major political realignments occur, are rare in U.S. history and reveal important changes in voters’ behavior and priorities.

One such political realignment occurred in 1932. Before this election, the Republican Party had won most of the presidential elections between 1860 and 1932; however, after 1932, the Democratic Party remained dominant—with the exception of Eisenhower’s two terms in the White House—through 1964. What events caused such a major realignment in Americans’ voting behavior? Which blocs of voters switched party allegiance, and why?

At the end of this interactive lesson, you will be asked to respond to the essential question.