Expanding Democracy

Joseph Brown

8 min read

Study Guide Overview

This study guide covers the expansion of democracy in the U.S. during the 1820s and 1830s (the "Era of the Common Man"), including key changes like lifting property requirements for voting, the introduction of the secret ballot, and the rise of political parties. It examines the Election of 1824, John Quincy Adams' presidency, and the Revolution of 1828 (Jackson's victory). Key terms include Universal Male Suffrage and Political Nominating Conventions. The guide also provides practice questions and exam tips.

#Expanding Democracy: The Era of the Common Man

The 1820s and 1830s witnessed a significant expansion of democracy in the U.S., often called the "era of the common man." This period saw increased political participation and a shift in power dynamics. Understanding this era is crucial, as it lays the groundwork for many later political developments.

#Key Changes in Democratic Participation

Lifting Property Requirements: Many states eliminated property ownership as a requirement for voting, allowing more white men to participate in elections. 🗳️
Secret Ballot: The introduction of the secret ballot ensured voters could cast their votes without fear of intimidation. 🤫
Accessibility of Government Positions: State and federal positions became more accessible to common men, not just the elite. 🧑‍⚖️
Rise of Political Parties: Political parties mobilized more of the population, encouraging greater political participation. 🤝
Populist and Reform Movements: Movements like the Workingmen's Party and the Temperance Movement empowered ordinary citizens to take a more active role in politics. ✊
Expansion of the Franchise: The abolition of property qualifications and the rise of mass political parties increased the number of eligible voters. 📈
Jacksonian Democracy: The rise of Andrew Jackson and his movement advocated for greater political participation and representation for ordinary citizens. 🇺🇸
Expansion of the Press: Newspapers and magazines increased access to information and political ideas for the general public. 📰

#Key Terms and Concepts

#Universal Male Suffrage

Key Concept

Universal Male Suffrage refers to the expansion of voting rights to all adult white men, regardless of property ownership. While this was a major step forward, it's crucial to remember that women and African Americans were still excluded. 🚫

Universal Male Suffrage	Many states abolished the property qualification to vote and used written ballots during this era, but women and African Americans were still not allowed to vote. This meant that only white men who met the age requirement were allowed to vote.

#Political Nominating Conventions

Quick Fact

Political Nominating Conventions replaced the old system of nominations by state legislatures or "King Caucus." This made the process more democratic, as convention attendees were typically elected by the party's rank-and-file members. 👑➡️🗳️

Political Nominating Conventions

In the past, candidates for office had been commonly nominated either by state legislature or by “King Caucus”, a closed-door meeting of a political party’s leaders in Congress. These were replaced by party nominating conventions. This allowed for a more democratic process, as convention attendees were typically elected by the party’s rank-and-file members, rather than just the party elite.

#Popular Election of the President

Exam Tip

Pay attention to how the popular vote became more important in presidential elections. All states except South Carolina adopted the practice of allowing voters to choose their electors to the electoral college. This was a major shift from state legislatures choosing electors. 🗳️

Popular Election of the President

All states, with the exception of South Carolina, adopted the democratic method of allowing voters to choose their electors to the electoral college (based on the majority popular vote) instead of the state legislatures choosing. This change helped to make the presidential election process more democratic and representative of the will of the people. Prior to this change, the state legislatures had chosen the electors and the popular vote had little effect on the outcome of the presidential election.

#The Election of 1824: A Turning Point

The Election of 1824 was a pivotal moment, marking the end of the Era of Good Feelings and the beginning of the Second Party System. Four Democratic-Republican candidates ran: Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams, William H. Crawford, and Henry Clay.

No Majority: Jackson won the most popular and electoral votes but did not secure a majority, leading the election to the House of Representatives. 🏛️
The Corrupt Bargain: Henry Clay, who was eliminated from the race, threw his support to Adams, who later appointed Clay as Secretary of State. Jackson and his supporters called it a "corrupt bargain," fueling Jackson's campaign for 1828. 🤝

#John Quincy Adams' Presidency

Common Mistake

Don't confuse Adams' approach with Jackson's. Adams prioritized merit over political loyalty, refusing to use the "spoils system." This alienated many in his party. 🙅‍♂️

Merit-Based Appointments: Adams appointed qualified individuals, regardless of their political beliefs, which was an opposition to the "Spoils System". 🧑‍💼
Rise of Martin Van Buren: Martin Van Buren, who had been instrumental in securing Adams' victory in the House of Representatives, took control over the House of Representatives and the Senate and effectively blocked Adams' decisions. 😠
Albany Regency: Van Buren and his followers, known as the "Albany Regency," used their control of Congress to oppose Adams' policies, leading to a split in the Democratic-Republican Party and the rise of the Democratic Party. 🏛️

#The Revolution of 1828: Jackson's Victory

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#Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia

Key Concept

The 1828 election was a landmark event, marking the rise of Jacksonian Democracy and a shift towards a more populist political landscape. It also marked the second time an incumbent president lost his re-election bid. 🌟

Intense Campaigning: The campaign was marked by large parades, barbecues, and negative tactics. Jackson's supporters accused Adams' wife of adultery, while Adams' supporters spread false rumors about Jackson's wife. 📢
Increased Voter Turnout: The campaign led to a significant increase in voter turnout and political engagement. 🗳️
Jackson's Victory: Jackson won a decisive victory over Adams, receiving a majority of both the popular and electoral votes. 🏆
Second Party System: This election is widely considered the beginning of the Second Party System. 👯

#Key Vocabulary Recap

Universal Male Suffrage: Voting rights for all white men, regardless of property. 🔗
Political Nominating Conventions: Party members choose candidates at conventions. 🔗
Popular Election of the President: Voters choose electors, not state legislatures. 🔗
Election of 1824: The election decided by the House of Representatives and the "corrupt bargain" allegations. 🔗
Presidency of Quincy Adams: Marked by merit-based appointments and political tension. 🔗
Revolution of 1828: Jackson's victory, rise of Jacksonian Democracy, and beginning of the Second Party System. 🔗

#Final Exam Focus

Key Themes: The expansion of democracy, the rise of political parties, and the impact of Jacksonian Democracy are all high-priority topics. Make sure you understand the causes and effects of these developments.
Connections: Connect the expansion of democracy to other developments in the early 19th century, such as the Market Revolution and the Second Great Awakening. These topics are often linked in exam questions.
Common Question Types: Expect multiple-choice questions on the key terms and events, short-answer questions on the causes and effects of the expansion of democracy, and free-response questions that ask you to analyze the significance of the era.

Exam Tip

Time Management: In the multiple-choice section, don't spend too much time on any one question. If you're unsure, make an educated guess and move on. In the free-response section, make sure to plan your essay before you start writing.
Common Pitfalls: Avoid simply listing facts. Make sure you analyze the significance of the events and connect them to broader themes. Also, be careful not to oversimplify or generalize. Remember that the expansion of democracy was not universal, as women and African Americans were still excluded.

#Practice Questions

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions:

Which of the following best describes the impact of the elimination of property requirements for voting in the early 19th century? (A) It led to the immediate enfranchisement of all adult men and women. (B) It significantly increased the number of white men eligible to vote. (C) It had little impact on voter turnout due to continued restrictions. (D) It resulted in the end of political parties and the spoils system.
The "corrupt bargain" of 1824 refers to: (A) A secret agreement between Jackson and Clay to secure the presidency. (B) A deal between Adams and Clay to make Adams president and Clay Secretary of State. (C) A political alliance between Jackson and Calhoun to oppose Adams. (D) A series of illegal land deals by Jackson's supporters.
Which of the following was NOT a characteristic of the "Era of the Common Man"? (A) Increased political participation by ordinary citizens. (B) The rise of mass political parties. (C) The elimination of all voting restrictions. (D) The expansion of the press.

Short Answer Question:

Briefly explain how the Election of 1824 and the Presidency of John Quincy Adams contributed to the rise of Jacksonian Democracy.

Free Response Question:

Analyze the ways in which the expansion of democracy during the 1820s and 1830s transformed American politics. Be sure to discuss the impact of the elimination of property requirements for voting, the rise of political parties, and the presidency of Andrew Jackson. (7 points)

Scoring Breakdown:

Thesis (1 point): A clear, historically defensible thesis that addresses the prompt.
Evidence (3 points): Provides specific examples of the expansion of democracy, such as the elimination of property requirements, the rise of political parties, and the presidency of Andrew Jackson.
Analysis (3 points): Explains the impact of these developments on American politics. For example, how the expansion of voting rights led to increased political participation, how the rise of political parties transformed the political landscape, and how Jackson's presidency represented a shift towards a more populist political culture.