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Why Did John Swanwick Win The American Revolution

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In any election, many factors influence the outcome. The Philadelphia Congressional Election of 1794 was between Federalist Thomas Fitzsimmons and Democratic-Republican John Swanwick. The support from different socio-economic groups was split between the candidates, and multiple variables affected the voters’ opinions. The candidates’ backgrounds, views and opinions on different political issues, and the voters themselves all proved important factors in the election. The candidates in the 1794 Congressional Election were members of the two opposing political parties of that time; the Democratic-Republican candidate, John Swanwick, and the Federalist candidate, Thomas Fitzsimons. A member of the wealthy elite, Fitzsimons had extensive military …show more content…

Swanwick was involved with the Pennsylvania Democratic Society, a group mainly composed of artisans and laborers, members of the lower classes. Swanwick additionally participated in an organization geared towards aiding immigrants. Though wealthy himself, Swanwick was not considered an “elite” member of society. The fact that he worked closely with artisans and laborers (who made up majority of the population) in the Pennsylvania Democratic Society and also worked to help immigrants furthered his connections with the people in certain demographic groups, specifically the lower classes. Because of his involvement, Swanwick was likely seen as more appealing to middle and lower class citizens. The personalities and “resumes” of the candidates influenced voters, along with other factors, eventually leading to Swanwick’s …show more content…

In 1793, one year prior to the election, thousands were killed by yellow fever. Areas with lots of artisans and laborers were especially diminished by this disease. Many upper class citizens had enough money to move and flee the fever. This angered the less wealthy, who could not leave Philadelphia. This added to the class antagonism that drove the poor to endorse Swanwick, who represented the lower classes. The Citizens’ Committee on the Fever was overwhelmingly Democratic-Republic, Swanwick’s party, and the committee’s approach to helping victims of the fever reflected positively on Swanwick. Areas where yellow fever took the most victims, such as North and South Mulberry, voted for Swanwick. The Yellow Fever helped Swanwick gain support from the struggling lower classes, which proved extremely important in the

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