4.7+Expanding+Democracy

Visitors in the 1830s, like Tocqueville, marveled at America's informal manners and democratic attitudes.
Common dining practices in hotels, stagecoaches, and steamboats reflected a blending of social classes.
European visitors noticed the indistinct class distinctions, with Americans dressing similarly regardless of wealth.
Principle of Equality: Equality became a significant governing principle, particularly for White males, emphasizing equality of opportunity while ignoring the enslavement of African Americans and discrimination against non-Whites.
Rise of the concept of the "self-made man," celebrated in this era, while women had no equivalent embodiment of this notion.
Feminism began to emerge by the end of the 1840s, advocating for equal rights for both genders.

Shift in Political Dynamics: Between 1824 and 1840, politics transitioned from the elite to middle- and lower-class homes.
Contributing Factors:
- New suffrage laws
- Changes in political parties and campaigns
- Improved education
- Increased newspaper circulation

New states admitted to the Union (e.g., Indiana, Illinois, Missouri) adopted constitutions that allowed all White males to vote without religious or property restrictions.
Rapid increase in voting for president: from ~350,000 in 1824 to over 2.4 million in 1840.

Political Parties: Became essential for channeling public engagement in choosing leaders.
Party Nominating Conventions: Replaced closed-door nominations, allowing broader participation and increasing democracy.
- Example: The Anti-Masonic Party initiated the first nominating convention.
Popular Election of Electors: By 1832, most states allowed voters to choose presidential electors, enhancing democratic engagement.
Two-Party System Growth: Required large parties for national campaigning, increasing organization and political participation.
Rise of Third Parties: Parties like the Anti-Masonic Party and the Workingmen's Party emerged, appealing to previously disengaged groups.

Increase in state and local elected officials during the Jacksonian era enhanced voter engagement and interest in elections.

Campaigns catered to common people’s interests, turning politics into entertainment with events and rallies.
Appeals often included personal attacks rather than substantive discussions on issues.

Government jobs became linked to party loyalty, a practice termed the spoils system initiated by President Jackson.
Advocated for rotation in office to democratize the process, arguing every individual is entitled to government service, asserting one person's worth is equal to another's.
Strengthened the two-party system and emphasized the belief in the capability of ordinary citizens holding public office.

Greater Equality

1830s visitors like Tocqueville admired America's informal manners and blended social classes.
Equality was crucial for White males, ignoring discrimination against non-Whites and African American slavery.
The "self-made man" idea thrived while feminism emerged for equal rights by the late 1840s.

Politics of the Common Man

Political dynamics shifted from elites to middle/lower classes (1824-1840) due to expanded suffrage and media growth.
Universal White Male Suffrage surged votes from ~350,000 in 1824 to over 2.4 million in 1840.
Political parties became essential, with conventions increasing participation, starting with the Anti-Masonic Party.
By 1832, popular electors were standard, strengthening the two-party system and third-party emergence.
More elected officials improved voter engagement during the Jacksonian era.
Campaigns turned into entertainment, emphasizing personal attacks.
The spoils system linked government jobs to party loyalty, advocating rotation of officeholders to democratize access