Jacksonian America
Chapter 9-Jacksonian America
1. The Rise of Mass Politics
1. The Expanding Electorate
1. No economic equality, but transformation of American politics to extend the right to vote to new groups. Until 1820s most states limited franchise to white landowners. Changes began in West w/ Constitutions guaranteeing right to vote to all white males—eastern states did likewise in order to stop exodus of people
2. Change provoked resistance- MA conservatives wanted property requirement, state eventually required voters to be taxpayers and Governor had to own large lands
3. State reforms generally peaceful but in RI instability when 1840 group led by Thomas Dorr and the Peep’s Party submitted and won a new state constitution by the people; 1842 2 simultaneous governments, Dorr rebellion quickly failed
4. In south election laws favored planters and politicians from older counties, limited influence of newly settled western areas
5. Everywhere women could not vote, no secret ballots—despite limitations numbers of voters increased faster than population
6. Originally electors chosen by legislature, by 1828 popularly elected except SC
2. The Legitimization of Party
1. Higher levels of voter participation due to expanded electorate but also strengthening of party organization and loyalty
2. 1820s/1830s saw permanent, institutionalized parties become desirable part of political process. Began at state level in NY w/ Martin Van Buren’s factional “Bucktails”. Party’s preservation thru favors, rewards, patronage leaders goals
3. Parties would check/balance one other, politicians forced 2 rep the will of the people
4. By late 1820s new idea of party spreading beyond NY, Jackson’s 1828 election seemed to legitimize new system. By 1830s national 2-party system: anti-Jackson forces called Whigs, his followers called Democrats
3. President of the Common Man
1. Democratic party embraced no uniform ideological position, committed to offer equal protection and benefits by
1. The Rise of Mass Politics
1. The Expanding Electorate
1. No economic equality, but transformation of American politics to extend the right to vote to new groups. Until 1820s most states limited franchise to white landowners. Changes began in West w/ Constitutions guaranteeing right to vote to all white males—eastern states did likewise in order to stop exodus of people
2. Change provoked resistance- MA conservatives wanted property requirement, state eventually required voters to be taxpayers and Governor had to own large lands
3. State reforms generally peaceful but in RI instability when 1840 group led by Thomas Dorr and the Peep’s Party submitted and won a new state constitution by the people; 1842 2 simultaneous governments, Dorr rebellion quickly failed
4. In south election laws favored planters and politicians from older counties, limited influence of newly settled western areas
5. Everywhere women could not vote, no secret ballots—despite limitations numbers of voters increased faster than population
6. Originally electors chosen by legislature, by 1828 popularly elected except SC
2. The Legitimization of Party
1. Higher levels of voter participation due to expanded electorate but also strengthening of party organization and loyalty
2. 1820s/1830s saw permanent, institutionalized parties become desirable part of political process. Began at state level in NY w/ Martin Van Buren’s factional “Bucktails”. Party’s preservation thru favors, rewards, patronage leaders goals
3. Parties would check/balance one other, politicians forced 2 rep the will of the people
4. By late 1820s new idea of party spreading beyond NY, Jackson’s 1828 election seemed to legitimize new system. By 1830s national 2-party system: anti-Jackson forces called Whigs, his followers called Democrats
3. President of the Common Man
1. Democratic party embraced no uniform ideological position, committed to offer equal protection and benefits by