The following is a chronological list of political catchphrases throughout the political history in the United States. This is not necessarily a list of historical quotes, but phrases that have been commonly referenced or repeated within various political contexts. For campaign slogans see List of United States presidential campaign slogans.

18th-century

Join, or Die, a 1754 editorial cartoon for newspapers by Benjamin Franklin. It shows a potentially powerful snake weakened by being cut into eight pieces, with each segment labeled with the initials of an American colony. It was originally a call for colonial unity against France during the French and Indian War. It was re-used in the 1770s to promote unity against Great Britain.David Copeland, " 'Join, or die': America's press during the French and Indian War." Journalism History 24.3 (1998): 112+.

A government of laws and not of men. John Adams, defining a republic as opposed to a monarchy. Boston Gazette March 6, 1775. Anthony Jay, ed, The Oxford Dictionary of Political Quotations (1996) p. 3.

Don't Tread on Me motto on Gadsden flag adopted December 1775 for naval warships. "The Symbolism of the Timber Rattlesnake in Early America" online See also Pine Tree Flag

"In the new code of laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make I desire you would remember the ladies, and be more generous and favourable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the husbands. Remember all men would be tyrants if they could." Abigail Adams to John Adams 31 March 1776. Jay, ed, The Oxford Dictionary of Political Quotations (1996) p. 2.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." Thomas Jefferson, Declaration of Independence, July 2 1776. "Declaration of Independence: A Transcription" National Archives online

"The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America.—I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more." John Adams to Abigail Adams written July 3d. 1776.. His predictions came true for July 4. "John Adams to Abigail Adams" (National Archives) online

I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country. Nathan Hale, on his execution by the British for spying September 22, 1776. Jay, ed, The Oxford Dictionary of Political Quotations (1996) p. 164.

"Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances, with any portion of the foreign world." George Washington, Presidential Address 17 September 1796. Jay, ed, The Oxford Dictionary of Political Quotations (1996) p. 379.

Let me. . . warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party." George Washington, Presidential Address 17 September 1796. Jay, ed, The Oxford Dictionary of Political Quotations (1996) p. 379.

19th-century We are all Republicans – we are all Federalists, Jefferson's First Inaugural Address in 1801.Thomas Jefferson, Federalist Papers. Peter S. Onuf. Retrieved May 26, 2008.

King Caucus --the secret caucus of all Jeffersonian Republicans in Congress, becomes the party's way of selecting a presidential candidate, starting with Jefferson's renomination in 1804. It finally breaks down in 1824.Roberts and Hammond, Encyclopedia p. 8. William G. Morgan, "The Origin and Development of the Congressional Nominating Caucus." Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society 113.2 (1969): 184-196.

Quids or Tertium quids, were a faction of Jeffersonian Republicans after 1801. They fell apart in the 1820s and most became Jacksonian Democrats.Noble E. Cunningham Jr., "Who Were the Quids?". Mississippi Valley Historical Review (1963). . 50 (2): 252–263.

The power to tax involves the power to destroy, stated the Supreme Court in McCulloch v. Maryland 1819. Jay, ed, Oxford Dictionary of Political Quotations p. 251.

Liberty and Union, now and for ever, one and inseparable!, a famous line of Daniel Webster in his "Second Reply to Hayne" speech in January 1830. The slogan itself would later become the state motto for North Dakota.

Our Federal Union. It must be preserved, toast made by President Andrew Jackson on April 13, 1830. It refers to the secessionist dispute that began during the Nullification Crisis and it became a slogan against nullification in the ensuing political affair.

Locofoco Disparaging term for Democrats especially in New York often used by Whig newspapers from 1835 to mid 1850s. Sperber and Trittschuh, Dictionary of American Political Terms (1962) pp.45–47 .

Tippecanoe and Tyler too, popular slogan for Whig Party candidates William Henry Harrison and John Tyler in the 1840 U.S. presidential election.

A house divided against itself cannot stand., opening lines of Abraham Lincoln's famous 1858 "A House Divided" speech, addressing the division between slave states and free states in the United States at the time. Four score and seven years ago..., opening of Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.Gettysburg Address Abraham Lincoln Civil War Speech. Retrieved May 26, 2008. ... government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth, climax of Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. Go West, young man, and grow up with the country newspaper editor Horace Greeley advising in favor of westward expansion. Steven Mintz, "Historical Context: Go West ... and Grow Up with the Country" online My country, right or wrong; if right, to be kept right; and if wrong to be set right! Carl Schurz speech in the Senate, February 29 1872. Jay, ed, Oxford Dictionary (1996) p. 3122.

"I will not accept if nominated and will not serve if elected", promise by William Tecumseh Sherman when asked about a presidential bid during the 1884 presidential election. Repeated and paraphrased by various politicians and public figures in later years, including Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968, Dwight D. Eisenhower in the 1940s, Dick Cheney in 2008, and Stephen King in reference to the 2018 Maine gubernatorial election. You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns. You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold. William Jennings Bryan in 1896 Cross of Gold speech, denouncing the evils of the gold standard.

20th-century 1900s–1950s I am as strong as a bull moose, said Theodore Roosevelt in 1900-- His new third party in 1912 was nicknamed the Bull Moose Party. Jay, ed, The Oxford Dictionary of Political Quotations (1996) p. 310.

Speak softly, and carry a big stick, President Theodore Roosevelt In a speech on foreign policy 1903. Jay, ed, Oxford Dictionary (1996) p. 311. Malefactors of great wealth were denounced by President Roosevelt in 1907. Jay, ed, Oxford Dictionary (1996) p. 311. We stand at Armageddon and we battle for the Lord. Roosevelt accepting the nomination of his crusading new party on June 17, 1912. Jay, ed, Oxford Dictionary (1996) p. 311.

Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself. Mark Twain (1912). Jay, ed, Oxford Dictionary (1996) p. 372.

" Next to the right of Liberty, the right of property is the most important individual right guaranteed by the constitution." William Howard Taft 1913. Jay, ed, Oxford Dictionary (1996) p. 354.

" There is no room in this country for hyphenated Americanism." T. Roosevelt on October 12, 1915, attacking ethnic groups that supported Germany in World War I. Jay, ed, Oxford Dictionary (1996) p. 311.

The world must be made safe for democracy. President Woodrow Wilson April 2, 1917, speech to Congress calling for a declaration of war against Germany .Jay, ed, Oxford Dictionary (1996) p. 392.

Smoke-filled room, used to describe the backroom at the Blackstone Hotel in Chicago where delegates gathered to secure Warren G. Harding's nomination during the 1920 Republican National Convention. The term now means a place behind the scenes, where cigar-smoking party bosses make political decisions.

" I pledge you, I pledge myself, to a new deal for the American people." Franklin D. Roosevelt accepting the Democratic nomination for president July 2 1932. Jay, ed, Oxford Dictionary (1996) p. 308.

The only thing we have to fear is fear itself., from Franklin D. Roosevelt's first inaugural address March 4, 1933.

All the ills of democracy can be cured by more democracy. Al Smith speech, June 27 1933. Jay, ed, Oxford Dictionary (1996) p. 343.

"Yesterday, December 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy" said by President Franklin D. Roosevelt after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.President Franklin Roosevelt Speech For a Declaration of War. Retrieved May 26, 2008.

I shall return. General Douglas MacArthur after forced out of the Philippines by a Japanese invasion.The American Experience | MacArthur | MacArthur's Speeches. Retrieved May 26, 2008.

"Is there anything we can do for you? For you are the one in trouble now." Eleanor Roosevelt to Harry Truman, upon Truman learning President Roosevelt had died. Truman had asked Mrs. Roosevelt on hearing the news, "Is there anything I can do for you?" The buck stops here, paperweight on the desk of Harry Truman. I like Ike, presidential campaign slogan for Dwight D. Eisenhower.I Like Ike. Retrieved May 26, 2008. The wrong war, at the wrong place, at the wrong time, and with the wrong enemy - said by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Omar Bradley in opposition to extending the Korean War into China. Contributed to President Harry S. Truman's dismissal of the commander of U.N. forces Douglas MacArthur. Later utilized in variations in opposition to the Vietnam War and the Iraq War. "Clean as a hound's tooth", the moral standard promised by Republican candidate Eisenhower in the 1952 campaign, when Richard Nixon, campaigning for vice president was accused of using campaign funds for personal use. "And you know, the kids, like all kids, love the dog and I just want to say this right now, that regardless of what they say about it, we're gonna keep it." – famous line from the Checkers speech delivered by Richard Nixon in 1952. "Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?", a common question asked by the House Un-American Activities Committee during the height of the Cold War.Are You Now or Have You Ever? – The New York Times. Retrieved May 26, 2008. "Have you no sense of decency, sir? At long last, have you left no sense of decency?", Joseph N. Welch confronts Senator Joseph McCarthy during the televised Army–McCarthy hearings on June 9, 1954. " To me party platforms are contracts with the people.” Harry Truman Memoirs (1955). Jay, ed, Oxford Dictionary (1996) p. 371.

" I never give them [the public] hell. I just tell the truth, and they think it is hell." Harry Truman Memoirs (1955). Jay, ed, Oxford Dictionary (1996) p. 371.

" The idea that you can merchandise candidates for a high office like breakfast cereal–that you can gather votes like box tops–is, I think, the ultimate indignity to the democratic process." Adlai Stevenson II speech accepting the Democratic nomination for president, August 18, 1956. Jay, ed, Oxford Dictionary (1996) p. 350.

1960s–1970s Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country, from the Inaugural address of John F. Kennedy.