Henretta Ch. 10/11

The Democratic Revolution symbolized by the expansion of the franchise (the right to vote).
By the 1830s, most states allowed nearly all white men to vote, unlike England where the Reform Bill of 1832 extended the vote to only 600,000 out of 6 million men (10% of the male population).
Political parties provided mechanisms for voters to express their preferences.

The American Revolution weakened elite-run society but did not abolish it entirely.
Only Pennsylvania and Vermont gave the vote to all male taxpayers; many low-status families continued to defer to the wealthy.
Wealthy notables (landlords, slave-owning planters, merchants) dominated America’s political system post-Revolution.
John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, argued that property owners were most suitable to govern.
Notables influenced local elections through patronage—lending money to farmers, giving business to storekeepers, and using refreshments as incentives.

Maryland reformers challenged property qualifications for voting in the 1810s, labeling them as “tyranny.”
As a reaction, broader suffrage was grudgingly accepted in seaboard states to curb westward migration.
New voters preferred candidates who embraced simplicity over aristocratic attire, leading to the election of modest men to office.
New state constitutions (Indiana, Illinois, Alabama) typically mandated broad male suffrage.
Public officials from humble backgrounds influenced changes like reducing debt imprisonment and promoting land claim simplification.
By the mid-1820s, most states had enfranchised all white men or those paying taxes, with few exceptions.

Between 1818 and 1821, more democratic constitutions were established in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York, focusing on population-based legislative representation and popular election of judges.
Political contests became contentious amidst the burgeoning democracy, often corrupted by party-driven patronage.
Parties appeared to provide structure to political debates, turning early freedoms into structured political engagement.

Martin Van Buren sought to create a political structure based on party rather than familial ties in New York.
He advocated that political factions were necessary checks on governmental power.
Van Buren formed the first statewide political machine in New York, using media to promote policies and increase voter turnout through a strong patronage system.

The decline of the notable-led Federalist Party and the fragmentation of the Republican Party led to the 1824 election with five key candidates: John Quincy Adams, John C. Calhoun, William H. Crawford, Henry Clay, and Andrew Jackson.
The popular election system became widespread; states elected electoral delegates rather than relying on legislative votes.
Although Jackson received the most electoral votes, no candidate achieved a majority, leading to a decision in the House of Representatives where Clay's influence played a pivotal role, resulting in Adams's victory via a “corrupt bargain.”
Adams proposed ambitious national projects and supported tariffs under the American System but faced significant opposition, especially from southern states.

Adams advocated for a strong national government focused on economic improvements and scientific advances, aligning with Clay’s American System.
His proposals largely met with resistance, especially among southern planters who feared protective tariffs and federal control.
The Tariff of 1824 provided protection for northern industries, exacerbating sectional tensions.
Adams's political approach was often labeled out-of-date, opposing the rising focus on popular opinion.

Martin Van Buren revitalized Jackson’s political coalition focusing on popular equality among the electorate.
Jacksonians orchestrated a major campaign that celebrated democratic values and gained widespread support among various social groups.
The election showed a significant increase in voter turnout compared to the previously low participation in 1824.

Jackson's presidency transformed the national government through the expansion of presidential powers and a move toward a limited government.
He adopted a rotation system for officeholders and led a decisive rejection of the American System in favor of state authority.
His agenda included the elimination of national infrastructure projects and advocacy for local governance.

High tariffs, particularly the Tariff of 1828, incited southern states' backlash, leading to the Nullification Crisis spearheaded by South Carolina against federal tariffs.
Increased tensions defined Jackson’s response to sectionalism and states’ rights arguments, with Jackson advocating federal authority.

Jackson opposed the Second Bank, citing constitutional grounds and class disparities, describing it as a harmful monopoly.
His veto against rechartering the Bank signified a dramatic increase in presidential power over Congress.
Upon winning the 1832 election, he hastened the removal of federal funds from the bank, leading to its ultimate dissolution.

Jackson’s administration pushed through the Indian Removal Act, leading to forced relocations of many Native American tribes, culminating in events such as the Trail of Tears.
Indigenous resistance often met with military force underscored the federal government’s commitment to land expansion.

Jackson's presidency is marked by a complex legacy of expanding executive power while simultaneously advocating for a limited government approach.
The Taney Court continued this legacy by reversing many nationalist principles established previously, promoting a differing interpretation of the Constitution.
His period saw significant shifts in political philosophy, leading to the formation of the second party system, featuring Democrats and Whigs.