Page "Party system" Paragraph 39

Third Party System: Beginning around the time of the start of the Civil War, this system was defined by bitter conflict and striking party differences and coalitions.

These coalitions were most evidently defined by geography.

The South was dominated by the Democrats who opposed the ending of slavery, and the North, with the exception of some major political machines, was dominated by the Republicans, who supported ending slavery.

This era was a time of extreme industrial and economic expansion.

The Third Party System lasted until 1896.