Expanding DEMOCRACY [APUSH Review Unit 4 Topic 7] Period 4: 1800-1848 (Re-Upload)

Summary

This video from Heimler's History delves into the expansion of democratic participation in the U.S. from 1800 to 1848. It outlines the causes and effects of this expansion, highlighting the Panic of 1819 and its economic repercussions, which led to increased demands for the franchise from small farmers, working men, and frontier settlers. As a result, property ownership was decoupled from voting rights in many states, allowing more individuals to participate in politics. This shift resulted in a significant realignment within the Democratic Republican party, leading to the emergence of two factions: the Democrats, who favored a more expansive view of federal power, and the National Republicans, who advocated for limited federal power and strict constructionism. The contentious 1824 election, which saw John Quincy Adams elected by the House of Representatives after a deadlock, further fueled the divide, eventually solidifying these factions into formal political parties by the 1828 election.

Takeaways

• 🗳️ The democratic process in the U.S. expanded significantly from 1800-1848, including more people in the voting franchise.
• 🏛️ Small farmers, working men, and frontier settlers began demanding the right to vote, leading to political reform.
• 📉 The Panic of 1819 caused economic turmoil, leading to high unemployment and bankruptcy rates, which in turn increased the demand for political accountability.
• 🏦 The Second Bank of the United States' tightening of lending policies contributed to the Panic of 1819 by causing state banks to close.
• 📉 A decrease in demand for American exports, such as cotton, exacerbated the economic crisis of the Panic of 1819.
• 🔑 Prior to reform, the right to vote was connected to property ownership, effectively disenfranchising those without land.
• 🔄 By 1825, most eastern states had lowered or eliminated property qualifications for voting, allowing more people to participate in democracy.
• 💥 The Federalist party was crumbling and the Democratic Republican party began to fragment into the Democrats and National Republicans.
• 🤝 The Democrats favored a more expansive view of federal power and loose constructionism, while the National Republicans advocated for limited federal power and strict constructionism.
• 🔥 The election of 1824 was contentious, with no candidate winning a majority of electoral college votes, leading to a decision by the House of Representatives.
• 🤔 Andrew Jackson, despite winning the most popular and electoral votes, did not become president due to the 'corrupt bargain' controversy, which was more perception than reality.

Q & A

What was the time period discussed in the video?

The video discusses the period from 1800 to 1848.

What was the significant change in the democratic process during the first half of the 19th century?

Participatory democracy expanded significantly, allowing more people the right to vote.

What was the main reason for the Panic of 1819?

The Panic of 1819 was caused by the Second Bank of the United States tightening lending policies to control inflation, leading to many state banks closing and a severe economic downturn.

How did the economic situation affect the desire for voting rights?

The economic turmoil, particularly in the West, led laboring men to demand the right to vote so they could hold politicians accountable for the economic crisis.

What was the connection between property ownership and voting rights before the reforms?

Before the reforms, the right to vote was connected to property ownership. If a person did not own land, they did not have the right to vote.

How did the political landscape change as a result of the increased number of voters?

The increase in voters led to a significant growth and realignment in political parties, with the Democratic Republican party fragmenting into the Democrats and the National Republicans.

What was the stance of the Democrats on federal power?

The Democrats had a more expansive view of federal power, adopting the old Federalist convictions and a loose constructionist interpretation of the Constitution.

What was the position of the National Republicans regarding federal power and constitutional interpretation?

The National Republicans advocated for limited federal power and strict constructionism, interpreting the Constitution in a more literal and restrictive manner.

What was the outcome of the 1824 presidential election?

The 1824 election resulted in a deadlock, with no candidate winning a majority of electoral college votes. The House of Representatives chose John Quincy Adams as president after Henry Clay, who came in fourth, threw his support behind Adams.

Why was the outcome of the 1824 election controversial?

The controversy arose because Andrew Jackson, who won the most popular and electoral votes, did not become president. His supporters claimed that the selection of Adams and the subsequent appointment of Clay as Secretary of State constituted a 'corrupt bargain.'

What was the state of the Democratic Republican party by the next election in 1828?

By the 1828 election, the factions within the Democratic Republican party had hardened into formal political parties, leading to a more structured political landscape.