Chapter 11 study guide

Chandler Gilbert Community College

HIS 103

Answer the following questions as you read Chapter 11.

1.Describe the expansion of suffrage? Who couldn’t vote and why? How does having more
people be able to vote change the political landscape?
Westward expansion changed the nature of American politics by undermining the
traditional authority structures in the older states and fostering a more democratic structure in the
newer states. Universal white manhood suffrage, of course, was far from true universal suffrage;
the right to vote remained barred to most of the nation’s free African American males and to
women of any race. The denial of suffrage to white women stemmed from the traditional
patriarchal belief that men headed households and represented the interests of all household
members. Although the extension of suffrage to all classes of white men seemed to indicate that
women had no role in public affairs, in fact women’s informal involvement in politics grew
along with the increasing pace of political activity. In a period famous for democratization and
“the rise of the common man,” the exclusion of important groups of African American men, and
women of all races marked the limits of liberalization.

2.How did John Quincy Adams get elected in 1824?

Jackson earned only a plurality of electoral votes. Thus, the presidential election was
decided by the House of Representatives, which elected John Quincy Adams on the first ballot.

3.What was the “new popular democratic culture” and does it still exist today? How did it
affect the election of 1828?
Mass campaigns, huge political rallies, parades, candidates with "name recognition",
lavish food and alcohol. The political party gave people the same satisfaction as sports do for
people today and gave men a sense of belonging, excitement, entertainment and functioned as a
national men's club. The campaign of 1828 was a crucial event in a period that saw the
development of a two-party system akin to our modern system, presidential electioneering
bearing a closer resemblance to modern political campaigning, and the strengthening of the
power of the executive branch. Votes were cast by secret ballot.

4.Tell me about Andrew Jackson? (Popularity, strength of the office, national focus?)
As leader of the Tennessee militia, during the War of 1812 Andrew Jackson decisively
defeated the Creek Indians (allied with the British). Jackson strengthened himself against
Congress by forging direct links with the voters. Jackson laid the framework for democracy, paid
off the national debt, gained new lands for America, strengthened relationships with foreign
nations globally and issued a new currency.

5.What was “nullification”? What states did it, or threatened to do it?

Having proclaimed the tariffs of 1828 and 1832 null and void within its boundaries,
South Carolina threatened to secede from the union if the federal government attempted to
enforce the tariffs.
6.What happened to the Second Bank of the United States?
Jackson removed all federal funds from the Second Bank of the U.S., redistributing them
to various state banks, which were popularly known as “pet banks.” In addition, he announced
that deposits to the bank would not be accepted after October 1.

7.What is meant by the Second American Party System? Why did it happen? What were the
goals of the Democrats and the Whigs?
People quickly became more interested in voting starting in 1828. More people came to
political rallies and showed up to vote on election day. The Whigs would continue to believe that
the legislature should have the most power in government, while the Democrats would continue
to support a strong executive. Whigs were strong proponents of social order.

8.In your own words, summarize the chapter. Imagine that your friend hadn’t read the chapter
and there was going to be a test on it. What were the key points? What stood out as “most
important or significant”?
● Westward expansion changed the nature of American politics by undermining the
traditional authority structures in the older states and fostering a more democratic structure in the
newer states.
● Jackson earned only a plurality of electoral votes. Thus, the presidential election was
decided by the House of Representatives, which elected John Quincy Adams on the first ballot.
● Mass campaigns, huge political rallies, parades, candidate with "name
recognition”, lavish food and alcohol. The political party gave people the same satisfaction as
sports do for people today and gave men a sense of belonging, excitement, entertainment and
functioned as a national men's club.
● As leader of the Tennessee militia, during the War of 1812 Andrew Jackson
decisively defeated the Creek Indians (allied with the British).
● Having proclaimed the tariffs of 1828 and 1832 null and void within its
boundaries, South Carolina threatened to secede from the union if the federal government
attempted to enforce the tariffs.
● Jackson removed all federal funds from the Second Bank of the U.S.,
redistributing them to various state banks, which were popularly known as “pet banks.”
● People quickly became more interested in voting starting in 1828. More people
came to political rallies and showed up to vote on election day.
● What stood out to me is that the extension of suffrage to all classes of white men
seemed to indicate that women had no role in public affairs, in fact women’s informal involvement
in politics grew along with the increasing pace of political activity.