The Period of Jacksonian Democracy

Introduction to Post-War Social Changes

• Post-War Era Context: The period following the War of 1812 sees a significant evolution in American social structures.

Critiques of Established Professions

• People in roles such as doctors, lawyers, and ministers were often criticized for their ineffectiveness, especially on the frontier.
• Lack of formal education: Medical practitioners, for instance, had no standardized medical school education.
• Established professionals were seen as unhelpful or unproductive, leading to increased skepticism from communities.

Demographic and Social Changes

Birth Rates

• Significant decline in birth rates noted in East Coast cities:
  • From an average of 7 children down to:
  • 5 children per family
  • Eventually declining further to 4 children.
• These changes emerged alongside industrialization and urbanization.

Racial Dynamics and Rights

• Expansion of slavery created increased restrictions on the rights of free black individuals.
• Voting rights lost in several regions, including places like Rhode Island and Pennsylvania.
• In New York, property voting rights remained in place only for black citizens, and poll taxes were imposed on white voters.
• Segregation began to take root in northern towns, creating a landscape of limited job opportunities for African Americans.
• The power of African American churches grew as they worked to restore community bonds weakened by these changes.

The Missouri Compromise

Key Components

• Engineered by: Henry Clay, known as the