Final answer:
To counter the perception of fragmentation, the Democratic Party has historically attempted to create a unified message, form broader coalitions, and establish a solid organizational structure through the spoils system. They faced continuous challenges, such as ideological divides and regional disagreements, particularly around issues like civil rights.
Step-by-step explanation:
To lessen the perception that the Democratic Party was simply a party of factions, the party attempted to create a unified message and present a consolidated front. During various points in history, this was achieved through different strategies. For instance, in the face of Republican tax cut plans that were criticized for favoring the wealthy, the Democrats aimed for unity in their opposition, though divisions remained, particularly following the 1994 election which saw the defeat of moderates who supported President Clinton's centrist policies. The loss of moderate members contributed to a growing polarization in the 1990s, wherein party members become more ideologically motivated. The Democratic Party, historically, has also tried to build broader coalitions, such as during the 1930s when it united low socio-economic status voters across various regions.
In the 1860 presidential election, the split within the Democratic Party into multiple factions due to the issue of slavery presented an opportunity for the Republicans. Likewise, in the earlier years, during Andrew Jackson's era, the party attempted to present a unified front, downplaying issues like slavery to rally voters around shared values. Another method used to maintain unity was the spoils system, which rewarded party loyalty with government positions, thereby making the party an essential part of political success and organization. Despite these efforts, divisions within the party have historically resurfaced, such as the rift between northern and southern Democrats during the civil rights movement in the 1940s through the 1960s and the conflicts within civil rights groups in the 1960s.