Expanding Democracy 4.7

What were visitors to the United States amazed by

You could not determine people’s class by the way they dressed, people across all levels of wealth wore the same things and even ate in the same places. equality was a governing principle of American Society

the American belief of equality only applied to who

Equality among the white majority, white males specifically. This equality was not applicable to African Americans and those who were not White

who was the hero of the age

The so called “Self Made Man” or a man of humble origins who climbed his way to the top of the social and economic ladder

what led to the spread of democracy

new suffrage laws, changes in political parties, increases in education and increased newspaper circulation

Universal White Male Suffrage

Western states newly admitted into the Union such as Indiana and Missouri adopted state constitutions that allowed for all white males to vote and hold office regardless of social class or religion

King Caucus

closed door meeting of a political party’s leaders in congress; method by which candidates had been nominated for office

What were Caucuses replaced with in the 1830s

nominating conventions that were open to the public

1. first held by the Anti-Masonic Party

2. more democratic b/c it encouraged more popular participation

two party system

The popular election of presidential candidates and indirectly the president, meant that campaigns for president now had to be conducted on a national scale. This meant that candidates needed large political parties

who were the only two large national parties in the 1830s

Democratic Republicans and Whigs

Rise of Third Parties (give examples and description)

1. Anti-Masonic Party: attacked the secret society of masons and accused them on belonging to an antidemocratic elite

2. Workingmens Party: tried to united skilled laborers and artisans into a political organization

popular campaigning

candidates for office directed their campaigns towards the interests and prejudices of the common people. Campaigns of the 1830s and 40s featured floats, parades, marching bands and large rallies in which people were given free booze and food.

spoils system

System used by President Jackson. The action of dispensing government jobs in return for party loyalty. Jackson would fire and replace office holders who were not democrats with loyal democrats