Unit 4 Essay: The Democratic Turn and Market Revolution
During the 18th century, a lot of changes transpired over the American borders. This was the duration when the ratification of the American confederation was taking shape, and the implementation was starting. Slavery was on the peak and politics of pluralism was taking shape. Additionally, industrialization was setting in where new inventions and technologies were being unveiled. For instance, the rail line was quickly ravaging the landscape and changing the norms within the republic. When it comes to the changes that were taking shape, the politics and the economic reforms were conspicuous.
In preparation for the 1828 election, presidential candidates had started strategizing on the best approaches to take. During this time Andrew Jackson who was more of a fighter was shaping to introduce popularism while the leading competitor, an elite and a distinguished professor John Quincy was banking hopes on his experience and track record to win the forthcoming elections. This was the first time the majority of people voted in the presidential election, where Jackson won with a 56% of the total vote cast. Jackson believed it was the first time in American history when a government of the people would be in office. When he was being sworn in as the president, he bowed and pledged to run a government led by the people. It was during his swearing-in that the gates of the White House were open to the public.
Progress brought lots of contradictions and different ideas. There were different understandings as well as definitions of progress. For instance, it was difficult to determine whether progress was an extension of suffrage, growth of democracy, or invention and creation of machines. However, according to the distinctive American notion perceived improvement as geographical destiny, where progress is change not in terms of time but also over space. Another description of progress would be the emancipation of man from barbarism to a civilization which formed the basis of the African colonization. Also, the concept of eternal chains of a machine is another description of progress.
During this period, there was a determination to erase the implied slavery from the constitution. The same way, some forces were determined to make further the inequality gap more full. Additionally, there was a growing inequality as women, especially of colour, were not allowed to express their opinions. However, it is the same period that saw an increase in inequality as old unlearned white men were allowed to vie for public offices and elected. Additionally, there were improved voting rights which further narrowed the inequality gap.
This period saw the emergence of the second Great Awakening which swept across American with most people converting to Christianity for the preparation of the second coming of Christ. The revival was revolutionary and was infused into American politics. It also emphasized the spiritual equality where the war against slavery was intensified as well as the political inequality of women. The period was also marked with the awakening of justice in the eyes of God and the notion that no race was superior to the other. There was also a change in culture. Due to the growth of industries, division of labour cropped in. A middle class also emerged after the workers were enclaved in new neighbourhoods off the shops and factories. There was a clear separation of workplace and home. And the role of men and women became clearer. Men went to work and were paid dues while women remained home and whatever they did could not be classified as work as they never drew any perks from the same.
There was a general attitude that perceived a government formed by numbers could not work and would collapse. The society at large was suspicious of the rule of numbers as there were no precedents or past government that had been run by such a system. In the early 1830s, it was in America where the public debates, discussions, campaigns had been held before elections to ascertain the suitability of the candidate. However, the proponents defied the status quo and were determined to realize the much-needed progress.
As the revivalists championed for their freedom and recognition. They invaded the politics of the land and wanted their voices to be protected by the laws. During this time, there were issues of inequality which were pressing the populace. Liberty implied the freedom of the people, while equality meant fair treatment in all aspect, especially in economic terms. The two times became oppositional as the liberty dictated liberation from the oppression or harsh conditions while equality incorporated emancipation from the cruelty of the oppressors.