Political Developments in American History
Navigation Acts and Royal Colonies
British wanted to ensure they were benefiting financially from the colonies.
Navigation Acts and royal colonies were established to regulate colonial activities.
Glorious Revolution and Salutary Neglect
In 1689, King Charles and King James were ousted during the Glorious Revolution.
William and Mary ascended to the throne and adopted a more relaxed approach to colonial governance.
Navigation Acts remained in effect, but enforcement was lax, leading to a period known as salutary neglect.
Salutary Neglect and Colonial Development
Salutary neglect resulted in increased smuggling and disregard for British regulations.
American colonists, or at least some, accumulated substantial wealth.
A strong sense of independence developed among the colonists.
French and Indian War (Seven Years' War)
The French and Indian War (1754-1763), also known as the Seven Years' War, erupted over land disputes between American colonists and the French.
Proclamation of 1763
Following the French and Indian War, the British sought to reassert control over the colonies.
The Proclamation of 1763 was enacted to prevent American settlers from moving westward.
Taxation and Colonial Discontent
The British increased taxes on the colonists to recoup war expenses.
The abandonment of salutary neglect and increased enforcement angered the colonists.
American Revolution
Colonial discontent escalated, leading to the American Revolution (1776-1783).
In 1776, Thomas Jefferson penned the Declaration of Independence.
The British eventually recognized American independence.
Articles of Confederation
Following the revolution, the Articles of Confederation were adopted, establishing a federalist republic.
The Articles favored strong state governments and a weak federal government.
Constitution and Federalism
The Articles of Confederation were soon replaced by the Constitution, which created a stronger federal government.
Separation of powers and checks and balances were implemented to address concerns about centralized power.
First Party System
The country divided into two nascent political factions: Federalists and Anti-Federalists (later Republicans).
Federalists: Supported the Constitution, a strong federal government, and a manufacturing-based economy; they were primarily located in the North and in cities.
Anti-Federalists (Republicans): Opposed the Constitution, advocated for weaker federal government, favored states' rights, and an agricultural economy.
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 established procedures for admitting new states into the Union.
It also prohibited slavery in the new northern territories.
It highlighted the need for a Bill of Rights.
It was a noteworthy accomplishment of the Articles of Confederation.
Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution to appease Anti-Federalists (Republicans).
Federalists vs. Republicans
The emergence of Federalists and Republicans marked the first party system.
Federalists:
Advocated for a strong federal government.
Favored a manufacturing-based economy.
Tended to reside in cities.
Led by Alexander Hamilton, championed strong banking, high tariffs, and a centralized government.
Republicans:
Opposed a strong centralized government.
Preferred an agriculture-based economy.
Favored rural communities.
Led by Thomas Jefferson, promoted Jeffersonian democracy (yeoman farmer ideal).
Jeffersonian Democracy:
Thomas Jefferson's vision of America centered on the yeoman farmer as the backbone of the nation.
It emphasized individual homesteads and agricultural self-sufficiency.
First Party System Dynamics:
Republicans had a larger following, but Federalists held significant wealth and influence.
War of 1812 and Nationalism
The War of 1812 fostered a sense of American nationalism.
Federalists opposed the war, leading to their decline in popularity.
After the War of 1812, people began to identify as Americans, rather than by their state of origin (e.g., Georgian or Virginian).
Era of Good Feelings
The decline of the Federalist Party led to the Era of Good Feelings, although disagreements persisted.
Federalist ideologies persisted among wealthy urban dwellers.
Election of 1824
The Election of 1824 featured four presidential candidates. John Quincy Adams, a Federalist at heart, ran as a Republican.
Andrew Jackson, a true Republican, also contested the election.
John Quincy Adams won the election, despite Jackson receiving more electoral and popular votes.
The "corrupt bargain" controversy surrounding the election marked the end of the Era of Good Feelings.
Formation of the Democratic Party
Following his defeat, Andrew Jackson established the Democratic Party, asserting it as the true party of Jeffersonian principles.
The Democrats advocated for small government and agricultural interests.
Second Party System
Opponents of Jackson rebranded themselves as the Whigs.
The Second Party System pitted Democrats against Whigs.
Democrats: Favored small government, agricultural interests, and were primarily located in the South and West.
Whigs: Advocated for strong government, manufacturing-based economy, and were primarily located in cities; Whigs tended to be wealthier and elitist.
Expansion and Political Power
Westward expansion bolstered the Democrats' power base.
Andrew Jackson, from Tennessee, became the first president from west of the Appalachian Mountains.
Slavery and the End of the Second Party System
The Second Party System dissolved in the 1850s due to the issue of slavery.
The Kansas-Nebraska Act exacerbated tensions between Northern and Southern states.
Third Party System and Sectionalism
The political landscape became increasingly sectional, with divisions between Northern and Southern states over slavery.
Democrats and Republicans
Democrats remained, representing Southern interests and slavery.
Northern Democrats became scarce.
A new Republican Party emerged as the Northern party, opposing the expansion of slavery.
These two parties (Democrats and Republicans) have remained the main political forces, although their platforms have evolved over time.
The Democrats were founded by Andrew Jackson in the 1820s, and the Republicans by Abraham Lincoln in the 1850s.
Civil War
The Civil War led to the secession of Southern states.
Abraham Lincoln, a Republican, was elected president.
The departure of the South left Republicans in control of the government for about two decades.
Republican Policies
Republicans advocated for free soil, big government, industrialization, and infrastructure development.
Reconstruction
Reconstruction focused on reintegrating the South and addressing the status of formerly enslaved people.
Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution began, driven by Republican policies implemented in the absence of Democratic opposition.
Focus shifted from slavery and civil rights to economic concerns.
Gilded Age and Political Machines
From the 1870s to the 1910s, the Industrial Revolution and Gilded Age transformed American society.
Forgotten presidents presided over a Congress influenced by big business interests.
Wealth Inequality
Wealth accumulated at the top, with influential figures like Carnegie, Vanderbilt, and Rockefeller dictating policies.
Political Machines
Political machines, such as Tammany Hall in New York City, dominated local politics in cities like New York, Boston, and Chicago.
They provided services to immigrants (jobs, food, housing) in exchange for votes, often engaging in corruption and graft.
Shift in Political Ideologies
There was an end to the century-long debate of whether America was a Jeffersonian or Hamiltonian country.
The rise of powerful figures with immense power shifted the focus away from traditional Hamilton vs. Jefferson debates, caused by ordinary Americans being "shit on".
A new political platform focused on the protection of workers and consumers.