History: Chapter 10 Outline

Chapter 10: The Age of Jackson 1824-1844

1.    Jacksonian Democracy

a.    The Rise of a Democratic Society

                                              i.     1830s- European visitors shocked by American informality, democratic attitudes

1.    All classes shared same tables, equality for all classes, dressed the same

2.    “Self-made man” but not yet for women

3.    Slavery coexisted and contradicted

b.    Politics of the Common Man

                                              i.     Universal Male Suffrage

1.    IN 1816, IL (1818), MS (1821)

a.    Allowed all white males to vote and hold office

                                                                                                    i.     No property or religious qualifications

2.    Soon eastern states adopted practice

                                            ii.     Party nominating conventions

1.    1830s- Caucuses replaced by nominating conventions.

a.    Party politicians, voters gather to nominate candidates.

b.    Anti-Masons first to hold a convention

c.     More democratic

                                          iii.     Popular election of the president

1.    1832- Only SC used old system

a.    Electors for president chosen by state legislature.

2.    All other states used new system

a.    Let voters choose state’s slate of pres. Electors

                                           iv.     Two-party system

1.    To organize presidential campaigns large political parties were needed (Democrats, Whigs)

                                             v.     Rise of third parties

1.    Only large parties had hope to win presidency, others emerged anyway.

a.    Anti-Masonic Party, Workingmen’s party

                                                                                                    i.     Reached out to groups who had little interest in politics

                                                                                                  ii.     Anti-Masons attacked secret societies of Masons, accused them of belonging to a privileged, antidemocratic elite

                                           vi.     More elected offices

1.    More state/local officials elected to office instead of being appointed.

                                         vii.     Popular campaigning

1.    Directed campaigns to interests and prejudices of voters

2.    1830/40s had parades, floats, bands, rallies

3.    Appeal to masses

a.    Resort to personal attacks, downplay the issues.

                                       viii.     Spoils system and rotation of officeholders

1.    Firing of previous office holders in exchange for party loyalty.

a.    Promoted gov’t corruption

2.    Rotation in office

a.    Limit a person’s tenure in office to one term

                                                                                                    i.     Replaced by a deserving democrat

3.    Said one man was as good as another

4.    Helped build a strong two party system

2.    Jackson Versus Adams

a.    The Election of 1824

                                              i.