1. The Rise of Mass Politics
Objectives:
Understand how the U.S. became a more democratic system and how it happened in different parts of the country.
Understand President Jackson’s approach to the Presidency.
Do Now:
Debating the Past, “Age of Jackson” pg. 234
Homework:
The Rise of Mass Politics pg. 230
Packet pgs. 1

2. The Expanding Electorate
No economic equality, but transformation of American politics to extend the right to vote to new groups.
Until 1820s most states limited franchise to white landowners.
Changes began in West w/ Constitutions guaranteeing right to vote to all white males
Eastern states did likewise in order to stop exodus of People

3. Expanding Electorate Change provoked resistance
MA conservatives wanted property requirement
state eventually required voters to be taxpayers + Government had to own large lands
State reforms generally peaceful but in RI instability when 1840 group led by Thomas Dorr and the “People’s Party” submitted and won a new state Const. by the people.
simultaneous governments
Dorr rebellion quickly failed

4. Expanding Electorate
In South election laws favored planters and politicians from older counties
limited influence of newly settled western areas
Everywhere women could not vote
no secret ballots
despite limitations numbers of voters increased faster than population 
Originally electors chosen by legislature, by 1828 popularly elected except SC

5. The Legitimization of Party
Higher levels of voter participation due to expanded electorate but also strengthening of party organization and loyalty
1820s/1830s saw permanent, institutionalized parties become desirable part of political process.
Began at state level in NY w/ Martin Van Buren’s factional “Bucktails”. Party’s preservation thru favors, rewards, patronage leaders goals

6. The Legitimization of Party
Parties would check/balance one other, politicians forced 2 rep. will of the ppl
By late 1820s new idea of party spreading beyond NY,
Jackson’s 1828 election seemed to legitimize new system.
By 1830s national 2-party system:
anti-Jackson forces called Whigs
his followers called Democrats

7. “President of the Common Man”
Democratic party embraced no uniform ideological position,
committed to offer equal protection and benefits by assaulting eastern aristocracy to extend opportunity to rising classes of the W + S,
preserve white-male democracy thru subjugation of African Americans and Indians
Jackson’s first targets
entrenched officeholders of fed government
wanted to simplify official duties to make office more accessible.
Removed nearly 1/5 of office-holders removed b/c misuse of government funds or corruption

8. “President of the Common Man”
Jackson’s supporters embraced “spoils system”,
making right of elected officials to appointed followers to office established feature of American politics

9. “President of the Common Man”
Supporters worked to transform presidential nomination system- 1832
national party convention held to replace congressional caucus
considered democratic triumph b/c power from people and not aristocratic caucus
Spoils system and convention limited power of entrenched elites (permanent officeholders, caucus elite), but neither really transferred true power to the people