democracy in us

Big Idea of democracy during the Market Revolution,Democracy expanded greatly, but limits and contradictions remained.

Second Great Awakening's impact on democracy,It fused religion with market values—emphasizing free will, sobriety, discipline, and industry.

Significance of Mormonism in this era,It was a new, democratic but controversial faith that reflected the era's religious experimentation.

Racial and gender limits during the Market Revolution,Native dispossession (Cherokee removal), Black exploitation, entrenched racial order, and women confined to domestic roles.

Redefinition of freedom during the Market Revolution,It shifted from rights and autonomy to access to markets, wages, and property.

Who made up 'We the People' in 1789,White male property owners.

Expansion of democracy by 1860,Westward expansion: new constitutions, end of property requirements. Eastward pressure: self-ownership, not land, became the basis of citizenship.

Exclusions from democracy by 1860,Women (Republican Motherhood, Cult of Domesticity) and African Americans (racial democracy over class solidarity).

Challenges faced by the U.S. after the War of 1812,Disunity, lack of a central bank, poor infrastructure, and British competition.

Madison's American System,A plan for a bank, tariffs, and internal improvements (partly vetoed).

Panic of 1819,An economic downturn caused by land speculation and banking collapse, leading to distrust of markets.

Missouri Crisis (1819-1820),Debate over slavery's westward expansion; resolved by the Missouri Compromise (Missouri = slave, Maine = free, 36°30′ line).

What the Missouri Compromise revealed,Deep sectional divides over slavery.

Significance of Andrew Jackson,He symbolized the 'common man,' gained mass support, and reshaped politics.

Election of 1824,Jackson lost in the 'Corrupt Bargain' (Adams + Clay).

Election of 1828,Jackson triumphed with popular support and modern party politics.

Martin Van Buren's importance,Architect of the Democratic Party and the two-party system.

Main parties of the Jacksonian era,Democrats and Whigs.

Jacksonian Democracy,Expanded participation, used spoils system, expanded executive power, and claimed to defend common people against elites.

Nullification Crisis,A clash over tariffs; South Carolina's attempt to nullify federal law tested states' rights vs. federal authority.

Bank War,Jackson vetoed the Second Bank, framing it as a fight between common people and elites.

Jackson's expansion of executive power,He used the veto aggressively and centralized authority despite pro-states' rights rhetoric.

Limits of Jacksonian Democracy,Women excluded, enslaved denied freedom, Native Americans displaced.

Central question about democracy in this era,Had democracy truly been won in a nation where millions were still enslaved or excluded?