Summary: The Rise Of Mass Democracy

The procedure of attaining a position in government dramatically changed in the United States between 1820 and 1840, and the rise of mass democracy was responsible for this. Many social changes occurred that changed the way officials were elected into government. Unfortunately, voting was still limited to free, white men, and it was the same white, wealthy men running for office, but these officials had to gain the respect of the common man to gain power. Along with an increased interest in politics, there was also a growing influence and respect that the rest of the population had in the voting process. Between 1820 and 1840, the rise of mass democracy changed the political stage, and men such as John Marshall, Henry Clay, Andrew Jackson, and William Henry Harrison played a role in this process. To start off, John Marshall was an American politician and the fourth Chief Justice of

He was famous as the "Great Pacificator" for his contributions to domestic policy and his emphasis on economic development in his diplomacy. He was a nationalist, devoted to the economic development and political integration of the United States. Most importantly, by 1836, he was an important figure in starting the Whig Party, the second official political party in the country. Such parties were seen as important parts in mass democracy. As mentioned previously, Clay's policies were based on economic development, so this was in favor of people who opposed the policies of the democratic party led by Andrew Jackson. By 1840, the Whig Party became a vigorous part in the emerging mass democratic system in the United States. Therefore, even though, despite his unsuccessful attempts to become the president, Clay and his creation of the second party system made progress in establishing mass democracy in the