Summary Of Harry L. Watson Liberty And Power

Harry L. Watson Liberty and Power: The Politics of Jacksonian America goes in depth of the political transformation during the Jacksonian period. Watson provided a closer look at political debates that had influenced the formation of the Republic and how it has shaped society. The debates resulted in a clash between influential figures who protected liberty or power. The debates invited public involvement in politics and political parties. Watson focused on the economy and ideological attitude of the people. While looking at their outlook on American political parties in the beginning and how they define the political direction of the country. The author pays attention to religion, expansion, issue of slavery, industrialism, immigration, and

Americans took advantage of the new changes in communication, transportation, manufacturing, and technology. They used the advances to produce profitable manufacture goods that could be sold which boosted the economy. The new development of the Market Revolution changed the lives of Americans. Watson states that the Market Revolution “intensify the impact of capitalism on the lives n ordinary Americans” (28). The effects of the Market Revolution led to economic inequalities and a threat to America liberty. Skilled workers were replaced by machines and farmers gain more profit by working in commercial agriculture. This led to the risk of farmers who couldn’t go against commercials farmers to lose their farms. Which resulted in citizens becoming anxious because they couldn’t predict their future. Market Revolution had created a social class and impacted the political system because the main voters were wealthy white men. The revolution also caused a shift between the North and South. During the Industrial Revolution, the North was steady while the South economy depended on cotton mill and slavery. Economic development became an important issue in politics and banks were seen as institutions of the new economy. The B.U.S. was the largest bank that created major changes to rebuilding America economy. Watson states that the panic of 1819 varied with the extent of an “individual’s

The Whig and Democratic took shape after the Bank War issue. A non-religious movement known as the Anti-Masonry became the first third party. The party established political patterns, organized voters, and partisan government. Even though they were successful they were not able to sustain as a political movement. The Whigs were gaining Jackson supporters while the Democratic were gaining support from upcountry farmers. Watson states that battle between the two parties was different but “consistent line of argument kept the party system intact and home the personal meaning of Washington’s struggles” (197). The presidential elections of 1848 and 1852 revolved around the competitiveness of the two parties. Most states were divided between both the Whig and Democratic political