Past and Present Chapter Essay

Opportunity and self-made men were the order of the day The basis fathers considered democracy to be direct rule of the people A apprehension they feared and rejected Jacksonians considered the voice of the people to be the voice of God commonwealth and Society No one could expect companionable privilege because of family ties European visitors noted the lack of first class accommodations The word servant was disappearance in its place was help Domestic workers were not considered a social subclass Members of different earning groups dressed similarly Democracy expressed itself in medicine, virtue and religionUnorthodox healers were given place alongside doctors Local nix allowed lower standards in some areas The clergy came under to a greater extent control of the temporalty The popular press became increasingly important Written and read by common people Many small venues and a few prestigious papers with large readership Democratic Culture Democratic expression in literat ure and art Popular taste v. elite or tralatitious culture Ro populaceticism was adapted to sentimentalism in popular literature formulaic gothic novels sold well Possible because of increased literacy Also cheaper depression More novels written by womenUniversal white manhood balloting was the rule by the 1820s Rise in elected v establish officials Stump speaking and campaigning became the norm More festive and dramatic Martin Van Buren and others began to build statewide political organizations Idea of the loyal opposite word developed Other political changes Two party system enhance Electors more often chosen by popular vote voter turnout percentages increased dramatically 182427% 182855% 184078% Why more interest? Panic of 1819concern about money issues Issues such as banks, tariffs, internal improvements Jacksonians were concerned about monied interestsOpponents were concerned about rabble rousers Should the federal government become more quick? Foster economic growth? Destroy corporate privilege and monopoly? Support the rights of the working man? Abolish inheritance, improve public education? New York Working mens Party thought so Also favored redistribution of assets Philadelphia was a center of labor activity General Trades Unions was formed Achieved a 10-hour work day Set an early precedent for mass action Abolitionists became more active Some also wanted equal rights for women These reformers saw little success.