Summary
Highlights
The nation transitioned to a more participatory democracy by expanding suffrage from property ownership to all adult white men. This required the emergence of an egalitarian culture, where all white men were considered equal regardless of wealth. However, this egalitarianism did not extend to women, who were restricted by coverture laws, or to enslaved people. New states created during this period removed property requirements for voting, and older states amended their constitutions, leading to a significant increase in eligible voters between 1824 and 1840.
Paintings by George Caleb Bingham, such as 'The Stump Speech,' 'The County Election,' and 'The Announcement of the Results,' illustrate the growing culture of egalitarianism and participation in government. These artworks depict people of various economic backgrounds gathering for political events and voting, showcasing democracy as a communal activity. However, these depictions exclude women, enslaved people, and people of color.
The expansion of democracy led to the creation of new political parties. The Federalist Party declined after the War of 1812 due to their opposition to the war and the unpopular Hartford Convention, running their last presidential candidate in 1816. The Democratic-Republican Party then dominated until 1824, a period known as the 'Era of Good Feelings.' However, the party fractured after the contested 1824 election, which Andrew Jackson called a 'corrupt bargain'.
Andrew Jackson formed the Democratic Party and successfully ran for president in 1828, ending the Democratic-Republican era. In opposition to Jackson, the Whig Party was founded in 1833, led by Henry Clay. The Whigs criticized Jackson, often portraying him as a king, due to his perceived misuse of federal power. Despite their opposition to Jackson's power, the Whigs generally supported an expanded role for the federal government in economic development, as seen in Clay's American System.
The new era of democracy and competitive elections saw increased voter participation and more vigorous campaigning. With more campaigning came negative campaigning, or mudslinging, as exemplified by the attacks on Andrew Jackson's wife during the 1828 election. This period also saw the strengthening of party loyalty through practices like the spoils system, which rewarded party supporters with government positions.
In summary, voting rights expanded for adult white men nationwide, leading to greater political participation. This led to the emergence of a new two-party system, primarily between the Whigs and the Democrats.