Unit 4.7 - Expanding Democracy

key terms/events and significance

The “Self-Made Man” (NAT/PCE)

• Idea of equality that allows a young White man of humble origin to rise as far as he can 

• Only for White males / not women / not enslaved African Americans

Universal Male Suffrage (NAT/PCE)

• Patriots moved from upper class to lower class (spread of democracy, new suffrage laws, change in political parties & campaigns, improved education, increased newspaper circulation)

• Newly admitted states (IND/1816, Ill/1818, Mis/1821) allowed all White males to vote regardless of social class or religion + political offices can be held by lower & middle class → voting increased

Changes to Parties & Campaigns (PCE)

• 1830s / caucus were replaced by nominating conventions / party politicians & voters would gather to nominate the party’s candidates → open to popular participation / more democratic

• Popular election of the electors: South Carolina / state legislatures chase electors for president - other states / more democratic / voters choose a state’s slate of presidential electors

The Two Party System vs. The Rise of Third Parties (PCE)

• Popular election of presidential electors → campaigns for president conducted on a nation scale / candidates needed  large political parties to organize these campaigns

• Only large national parties could hope to win presidency / others emerged (Anti-Masonic & Workingman) → reached out to people who previously showed little interest in politics / Anti-Masons accused secret societies of Masons belong to antidemocratic elite / Workingmen united artisans & skilled laborers into a political system

Explain the causes and effects of the expansion of popular democracy from 1800 to 1848.

The ideas of equality became more popular and prominent in America, leading to political participation White males from the lower class. Instead of caucuses, party politicians and voters gather to nominate candidates for the presidential election. This resulted in candidates joining political parties also emerging and voting increased.