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Chapter 11
The Rise of Democracy
1824–1840
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
• Explain the reasons for the new political culture of democracy.
• Identify the causes and political consequences of Jackson’s rise to power.
• Explain how the new political culture of democracy influenced the status of Native
CHAPTER OVERVIEW
The development of a national market after 1815 transformed the American economy and
society. But a series of fundamental political changes also followed in the wake of the market
revolution, changes that are often referred to as the rise of democracy. Democracy had not been
valued particularly highly by the revolutionary generation. To be sure, the United States in 1789
had widespread suffrage by European standards, but politics in the early Republic still exhibited
The chapter opens with an account of Franklin Plummer, a Mississippi politician whose public
career mirrored the new features of democratic politics. Born without the advantages of society,
Plummer rose to power by portraying his opponents, including the hapless Powhatan Ellis, as
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THEMES
Equality, Opportunity, and the New Political Culture of Democracy
Expanded economic opportunity challenged the concept of equality because it allowed some
citizens the chance to become much richer than others. Thus, this generation had to confront in
its political affairs the fundamental tension that existed between those two basic American
values: opportunity and equality. The democratic party system sought to preserve both. It did so
by defining equality to mean equality of opportunity, not condition, and safeguarding
opportunity through government power.
Jackson’s Rise to Power
Personally cold and stiff, John Quincy Adams did not fit into this democratic system and failed
to generate any popular enthusiasm. In 1828 Jackson defeated Adams for the presidency. Much
Democracy and Race
Democracy strengthened racism in American society. African Americans were largely
excluded—and Native Americans were entirely excluded—from the new democratic system. As
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The Nullification Crisis
The rise of democracy also involved the concentration of power in the federal government. This
was seen most clearly in the nullification crisis, when South Carolina, economically depressed
The Bank War
Jackson also moved to destroy the Second Bank of the United States. He feared the great power
wielded by the bank, which was controlled by private investors, over state banks and the national
economy. When the bank’s president, Nicholas Biddle, refused to compromise, Jackson vetoed
The Jacksonian Party System
In the new system of parties that had developed, Democrats feared the commercialization of
American society and wanted government to guard against monopolies and not interfere with
LECTURE STRATEGIES
New Opportunities, New Pressures: The Cherokees as a Case Study
This chapter makes clear how the new economic and political “opening” of America offered new
opportunities and created new pressures for the white population of the consolidating nation. As
a counterpoint, a useful lecture might be a case study showing how opportunity put pressures on
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Symbolic and Political Significance of Andrew Jackson
One or more lectures could be given on Andrew Jackson and his impact on American politics.
Jackson is, of course, an extremely colorful individual, and few presidents have been as intensely
The Bank War
Jackson is also at the center of the storm over the role of banking in the Republic. An analysis of
the topic would include Biddle’s role in the struggle over its bank’s recharter, why Jackson (and
TEACHING SUGGESTIONS
Relationships between Politics and Economics
The chapter treats the interrelationship of social and political change from several perspectives.
One way to open a discussion on this theme is to ask students about the relationship between
Political Equality after 1820—Inclusion and Exclusion
The new democratic political system also merits a lecture. What changes occurred after 1820 that
were associated with the rise of democracy? How was the Jacksonian political system different
Andrew Jackson’s Significance in American History
A look at Jackson’s broader significance in American history may be warranted. Jackson came to
The 1840 Presidential Election
One way to conclude is by considering the significance of the 1840 presidential campaign. It has
been called the first modern presidential campaign in our history. In what ways does that
POWER OF PROCESS FOR PRIMARY SOURCES
Power of Process for Primary Sources is a critical thinking tool for reading and writing about
primary sources. As part of Connect History, McGraw-Hill Education’s learning platform, Power
of Process contains a database of over 400 searchable primary sources in addition to the
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capability for instructors to upload their own sources. Instructors can then select a series of
strategies for students to use to analyze and comment upon a source. The Power of Process
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