The parties never switched. Over the course of 200 years a lot has changed in politics. Back then democrats were for a smaller government and more states rights. Republicans were for a stronger federal government. This is the only thing that switched and like I said, a lot has happened in the interim that changed the way we interact with our government and it would be stupid to say there was a "switch" as that implies that people thought a certain way one day then all of a sudden changed their mind, or that people switched parties which never happened besides african americans voting for democrats in the 30's due to the great depression and the necessity for stronger safety net programs in cities.
The parties never switched. Over the course of 200 years a lot has changed in politics. Back then democrats were for a smaller government and more states rights. Republicans were for a stronger federal government. This is the only thing that switched and like I said, a lot has happened in the interim that changed the way we interact with our government and it would be stupid to say there was a "switch" as that implies that people thought a certain way one day then all of a sudden changed their mind, or that people switched parties which never happened besides african americans voting for democrats in the 30's due to the great depression and the necessity for stronger safety net programs in cities.