2. The US democracy at work prior to the Civil War.

• before the revolution, the right to vote depended on ownership. After the revolution, there were often taxpaying requirements. It was a democratic and universal male suffrage.
• Difference between west and east concerning suffrage

  In the west lands were cheap : 70 to 80% owned enough lands to have the right ot vote. In the East, few people had the right to vote (no land available)
• George Washington was against parties because 


  he thought that would divide the population
• At the end of Washington two terms, two political parties were in place, that triggered the population : the birth of parties rase people interests in political life.
• In 1824 happened the highly contested presidential election between John Quincy and Andrew Jackson.
• Andrew Jackson won the population vote against Adams but they had an even number of representative votes
• In 1828, there were lots of rallies and political activity was intense with lots of parades and public events as well. It sealed the acknowledgement of the power of the people
• The Benevolent Empire : there was a high involvement in associations (linked with the political participation)
• The purpose of associations was...

  to remedy the flaws of society : To fight Temperance (alcoolism), fight for the abolition of slavery, in favor of african american male suffrage and in favor of female suffrage
• There were various types of mobilizations in the Benevolent Empire : conferences and petitionning the government, at the state level or even the federal level
• Anyone could take part in the decision making system by writting petitions, even slaves and women.
• The purpose of activism with associations was to make institutions and society fairer and to have it keeping with the key values of the declaration of independence