CHANGES IN A YOUNG NATION

Did changes in the young nation open the door t opportunity for all Americans?

Political Changes

Political changes in an emerging democracy

From 1790-1830—expansion of democracy in U.S. Andrew Jackson

represented this change—poor southerner prosperous planter judge, Senator, military hero POTUS

Democracy for common man—but not woman Jackson became POTUS in 1828

Owed victory to expansion of suffrage (voting rights)

States changed voting laws—no longer needed to own property

Not all Americans given right to vote Women, Native Americans, and slaves could not vote Few freed blacks could vote

Other democratic changes Move from voice-vote to secret paper ballots National conventions Political parties involved people in campaigns

1828 Campaign Poster

Jackson loses, then wins 1st ran for POTUS in 1824

4 candidates—all Democratic Republicans Jackson wins popular vote, but not enough

electoral votes H. of R. decided chose John Quincy Adams

Jackson ran again in 1828 Knew there would be lots of new voters

“common people” Formed new political party Democrat

Represent ordinary farmers & workers instead of wealthy & privileged

Decentralized gov’t & states’ rights

Jackson loses, then wins Jackson’s opponent, John Q. Adams, also started new

party National Republican Party

Represented business, shipping & banking interests

Favored strong central gov’t Southerners feared high taxes & interference

with slavery Both parties tried to avoid sectional issues Mudslinging Jackson wins rewards his supporters with gov’t

jobs spoils system “To the victor belong the spoils…” Defended rotation in office as reform…gov’t jobs

open to all, not just wealthy elite

John Quincy Adams

Nullification Key issue in nation: balance between Fed. &

State power 1st came up in 1798 w/ Alien & Sedition Acts—

Jefferson & Madison believed laws unconstitutional States should nullify laws that violate Constitution

(Nullification) This idea important later on in battler over states’ rights

S.C. tried to nullify 2 fed. Tariffs (tariff a tax on imports/exports) Leaders in SC threatened to secede from Union if laws

enforced Jackson stood his ground—prepared to use force to

keep SC New lower tariff passed in Congress