WHITE MEN'S “DEMOCRACY” 1

Democracy in Theory and Practice n Fear that democracy would lead to anarchy wanes in the 1820s and 1830s n Equality of opportunity stressed

Democracy and Society n Expectations of equality despite economic inequality n No distinctive domestic servant class n No class distinctions in dress n White male equality before the law; radical, by European standards n The press is the source of information and opinion

Universal Manhood Suffrage n White adult males gain right to vote without property qualification n Appointive offices made elective n Professional politicians emerged n Political machines develop at state level

Democratic Political Institutions : National Parties (1/2) n Parties serve special economic interests – Whigs support a "positive liberal state," community – Democrats support "negative liberal state," individual

Democratic Political Institutions : National Parties (2/2) n Neither party seeks to extend rights beyond adult white male constituency n Radical third parties argue the cause of African Americans, women, working people

Economic Issues n Interest in government economic policy intensified after 1819 n Some wanted to do away with banks, paper money, and easy credit n Others wanted more government aid

Labor Radicalism and Equal Rights n Trade unions emerged in the 1820s & 1830s n They advocated public education reform, a ten-hour workday, an end to debtors prison, and hard currency n The women’s rights movement and abolitionists made little progress

The Emergence of the Whigs n Whig party, a coalition of two forces – opponents of Jackson – Anti-Masonic party n Whigs defend activist government in

The Rise of Van Buren (1/2) n Martin Van Buren succeeds Jackson in 1836 n Term begins with Panic of 1837, blamed on Van Buren n Laissez-faire philosophy prevents Van Buren from aiding economic distress

The Fall of Van Buren (2/2) n Whigs fully organized by 1840 n Whig candidate: William Henry Harrison – image built as a common man who had been born in a log cabin – running mate John Tyler chosen to attract votes from states-rights Democrats n Harrison and Tyler defeated Van Buren

Heyday of the Second Party System n Election of 1840 marks rise of permanent two-party system in the U.S. n Whigs and Democrats evenly divide the electorate n Parties share a broad democratic ideology