Chapter 11 Study Guide
1. What was de Tocqueville’s observation about the way democracy played itself out in America? He claimed that the most able men were rarely placed in the positions they deserved—those at the head of affairs. He also said ordinary citizens ignored important issues of public policy, refused to elect their intellectual superiors to office, and willingly assented to the politicians and leaders that lied to gain people’s support.
2. What is the difference between republicanism and democracy?
Republicanism: rule by property-owning men of talents and virtue. By 1820s and ‘30s, Democracy: The majority should govern was a fundamental maxim in all free gov.’s. United ordinary Americans in election fever and party organizations, they held together a social order increasingly fragmented by the economic revolution. Promoted political parties that could debate political policies.
3. Who formed the traditional wealthy notables in America?
Northern landlords, slave-owning planters, and seaport merchants.
4. What challenges to the traditional political order arose in the Midwest?
Social egalitarianism became important to the masses as small farmers and ambitious laborers in the Midwest became sick of being underrepresented and seemingly thought of as servants.
5. What were some of the democratic trends in the North? (1810-ish)
Condemnation of property qualifications led to democratic change allowing broad franchise concerning property owning. Between 1818 and 1821, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and NY all wrote new constitutions that reapportioned legislative districts on the basis of popilation and made local governments more democratic by mandating the election—rather than the appointment—of judges and justices of the peace.
6. Summarize the make up and work of the new political “machines”
They were a coherent legislative program. As the push for democracy developed, political parties