The New Democracy:

 

The New Democracy was characterized by:

      Popular Democracy became more respectable in the 1820’s: “more

            democracy is better”

      Politicians began to appeal more and more to the masses

      Offices were increasingly held by the “common man” the idea was that

            any man could run government efficiently

      Government should govern as little as possible, whatever government is

            needed should be run DIRECTLY by the people

      Universal white manhood suffrage: One step forward for democracy

      Increased voter turnout and efforts to “get out the vote”

      Organized political parties

      Partisan conflict and parties were considered elements of healthy

            democracy, not a scourge

      Electors began being selected in more direct, democratic ways

      Nominating convention (voters select delegates)  replaced the caucus

            (party leaders choose)

 

Why did democracy grow in the 1820’s?

      A continuation of the Revolutionary Period idea of “all men are created

            equal”

      1819 Panic caused people to question privileged classes and government

            benefit which led people to action

      Missouri Compromise 1820: spurred white southerners to political action

            to defend slavery; feared control of federal government by the North