Summary Of The Expansion Of Vote By Alexis De Toqueville

Alexis de Toqueville, a Frenchman and author of Democracy in America, wrote that he “saw America as 'the image of democracy itself, with its inclinations, its character, its prejudices, and its passions’” (Feller). Toqueville wrote this statement during Andrew Jackson's first presidential term. In the election of 1824, between Jackson and John Quincy Adams, Jackson received the most popular votes and electoral college votes, but he did not acquire the necessary simple majority. As a result, the election was transferred to the House of Representatives where each state would get one vote. At this time, Henry Clay had been removed from the presidential running so he reclaimed his position as Speaker of the House and corroborated Quincy Adams'

Jackson got the necessary amount of electoral votes to win, so he became America's seventh president (Shaw). The results of this election, along with the years of campaigning before it, revealed critical information regarding societal participation in the time period. The election of 1828 expanded public involvement in government through increased suffrage, political parties and popular media.

Suffrage for white men increased during the election of 1828, escalating the societal voice through voting. During the American Revolution, many states had property requirements to vote. It was believed that in order to cast a logical vote, one needed to be economically involved in society by owning land ("The Expansion of the Vote: A White Man's Democracy”). Powerful government leaders and representatives upheld the property requirement in hopes to silence the voices of the lower class, who they believed

The candidates in the election of 1824 were all part of the Democratic-Republican political party as the Federalists had come to an end (Hogan). As support for Jackson and Quincy Adams grew, the public divided and created two new political parties. The Democratic party was created by the Jacksonians. They believed that they were "Jefferson's true heirs" and wanted a simple government without the rich aristocracy present (Feller). The National Republican party was created by Quincy Adam supporters and had ideals similar to those of the Federalists (Shaw). The members of these political parties were closer for reasons beyond politics. For example, regarding religion, Democrats favored the separation of church and state (Feller). These religious similarities made the political parties more bonded and cohesive. When they wanted to get involved in the government, whether it was an election or a political issue, they were compatible and could do more to influence various causes. Furthermore, within the Democratic political party, people were able to organize themselves to make sure the most progress was achieved. Creativity was used to nominate and elect candidates shown through the numerous conventions held by the Democratic party in Washington (Feller). The two political parties brought together