Voter Participation in the 1800s

Unknown 4B 14 November 2012 The 1800s were a time of tremendous change that contained many valuable occurrences. While being well adjusted to the new world the building blocks of America were still in the process of being made. Many controversies and commands were made which made elections a bit more complicated. The participation in political campaigns and elections in the United States changed between 1815 and 1840 through economic, political, and social factors that corresponds to historical events that made the differences that created the change.

The conflicts that are occurring during the time of voting have a very large affect on the election. They show what the president needs to improve and how they are going to act to do so. In the 1820s it was the start of the idea of the American System, which includes promoting industry though tariffs, building road, canals, etc, and internal improvements to market agriculture. The democrats at the time opposed the system and the republicans were all for it. We are fast becoming a great nation, with great commerce, manufactures, population, wealth, luxuries, and with the vices and miseries that they engender. ” (Doc. B). This was the start of the market revolution, where everything changes from underdevelopment to a future run on technology. Immigration was a problem because it was replacing American workers with cheaper foreign workers. They didn’t have any solutions, as it was just beginning, so that would be something the president would have to work on and use in their campaign.

Being the highest executive officer of a modern republic, the president is a imperative position full of demand. Andrew Jackson boosted his reputation and helped prop him to the while house through the Battle Of New Orleans. That is a fine example of how historical events can boost your eligibility for votes. Through the Era of Good Feelings, it kept Monroe and the Republican party well known. Jackson was also in office for the Indian Removal Act and the Trail of Tears which was a horrible time but gained land for the people which increased Jackson’s favor. Also through Jackson, was he creation of the Whig Party, which was a big impact on the election of 1836 because it was the 2nd party compared to democratic. Van Buren was President for part of the ending of slavery which was a huge progressive state for America. These events explained what the main goals were for the presidential candidates and were the ways to gain votes. In 1828, the Democratic Party ballot only had Representatives to vote on while there weren’t very many competitors. (Doc. D). Social issues kept the public talking, were a major part of campaigning, and displayed who to vote for.

In the 1824 election between Adams and Jackson, Adams was blamed for Corrupt bargain which affected his presidency through the thought of scandal. Another point that brought scandal upon election was the spoils system which gave jobs for voters for a certain party. “We have trusted to the influence of the justice and good sense of our political leaders, to prevent the continuance of.. Abuses, which destroy the natural bands of equality so essential to the attainment of moral happiness, but they have been deaf to the choice of justice.. ” (Doc. E).

Voting also increased over the years through change of requirement to vote, after this time period, women could vote along with slaves. (Doc. A. ) Campaigns won over Americas heart and started in the 1840s with Martin Van Buren and William Henry Harrison. Harrison was thought of as an alcoholic by his competitor so Buren said that he would sit in a log cabin and drink hard cider. (Doc. I. ) Everyone had a different opinion so newspapers weren’t an official source for awhile. The more different types of newspapers the more different will the stories get stretched with candidates. Doc. G). It was all for means of convincing voters and sharing the ideas of the presidential candidates. Over time, the number of voters increased while the regulations decreased. Through economic, political, and social factors that fact can be explained through historical events and change. Presidents manifest themselves to prove that they can be the best leaders that they can be with hard work and tough campaigning. While split up through different parties and ideas, presidency has definitely changed throughout the decades.