The article traces the Democratic Party's evolution from Andrew Jackson's presidency, marked by Indian removal, to its role as a major supporter of slavery in the antebellum South. It highlights the party's embrace of Manifest Destiny and its fracturing during the Civil War.
The Democrats' dominance in the South following the Civil War is discussed, along with their adoption of populist farmer and silver interests against the gold standard.
The article shows how the party became associated with progressive ideals and the New Deal's expansion of government, creating a new coalition involving labor unions.
The Democrats' internal divisions over civil rights are explored, along with the gradual loss of the South to the Republicans. The party's shifting stance on war and the rise of a more urban and diverse coalition are addressed.
The article concludes with analysis of the modern Democratic Party's strengths and weaknesses: strong in cities and among minority voters, but weaker among white voters in the South and evangelical Protestants. The impact of growing Hispanic populations in key states is noted.