Why Is Democracy Expanded Prior To The Early Republic?

During the Early Republic, some people may argue that democracy for Americans was not expanded, however, I argue that democracy was in fact expanded for Americans during this time period. Democracy for Americans may have been limited prior to the Early Republic, however, there are several reasons why I argue that democracy was expanded during this time. The Missouri Admission Act of 1820 allowed people in Missouri to form a state government, George Washington’s Farewell Address in 1796 provided guidance to the American people on how to approach certain political matters and an 1815 engraving titled “American Guided by Wisdom” showed how Americans felt following the ending of the War of 1812. These primary sources help to argue and support my

This primary source is the transcript of Washington’s speech that was given in 1796. The audience that George Washington was intending to reach with this speech was all American citizens. One can imagine that the words spoken in this speech are guiding words for the American citizens. As democracy was beginning to expand for Americans, it is as if Washington is preparing them for situations they may face with the widening democracy. At one point in his speech, Washington refers to the Union as “our Union” which shows that he is including American citizens which can represent how democracy was expanding because Americans were now being viewed as a part of bigger things. Later on, in the speech, George Washington mentions “the mere politician, equally with the pious man” which shows that he viewed politicians on an equal level with typical men which can be broadened to again show the expansion of democracy for Americans during the Early Republic. George Washington continues on to say, “in proportion as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public opinion should be enlightened.” This quote shows how George Washington believed that the structure of the government relied on input from the people, that it would properly function without public opinion, which is exactly what democracy is; the opinion of the public on political