AP US History in 1 Minute Daily: Expansion of Democracy (Day 99/309)

Welcome to today’s explanation of the Expansion of Democracy in my series- APUSH in 1 Minute Daily!

1824 and 1860 Election Results, 270 to Win

In the period between 1824 and 1860, there was a significant change in the number of people who participated in the political process and the ways in which they did so.

Voting Qualifications 1800 to 1830 Oxford University Press

The main change that occurred was universal white male suffrage. New states adopted constitutions that allowed for all white males to vote and hold office. Eastern states then also removed restrictions, such as the property requirement.

George Caleb Bingham, The County Election. Reynolda House Museum of American Art.

Other changes allowed for increased participation of the public in the political process. Caucuses began to replace party nominating conventions. This allowed for common citizens to be involved in the nomination of candidates.

George Caleb Bingham, Stump Speaking. Wikimedia Commons

Additionally, by 1832, all states except South Carolina, changed methods for selecting electors and the popular election of the President. These changes fueled a shift by politicians to more directly campaign to the common people.

In the antebellum period, new suffrage laws and changes to the political process stimulated the expansion of democracy. There was a direct and immediate increase in the participation of white men in government.

Join me tomorrow as I explain the Election of 1828 in the next APUSH in 1 Minute Daily!