Democratic Party

Definition

The Democratic Party is one of the two major political parties in the United States, with a history dating back to the early 19th century. It is known for its progressive and populist ideals, advocating for policies that support the working class, expand civil rights, and promote a more active role for the federal government in addressing social and economic issues.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Democratic Party emerged as a successor to the Democratic-Republican Party, which had dominated American politics in the early 19th century.
2. Under the leadership of Andrew Jackson, the Democratic Party embraced a new political style that emphasized the power of the common people and challenged the traditional political establishment.
3. The Democratic Party played a central role in the Nullification Crisis, where it supported the right of states to nullify federal laws they deemed unconstitutional.
4. The Democratic Party's opposition to the Second Bank of the United States and its support for expanding voting rights were key factors in the rise of Jacksonian Democracy.
5. The Democratic Party's embrace of majority rule and its willingness to use the power of the federal government to address social and economic issues were central to the 'Tyranny and Triumph of the Majority' during this period.

Review Questions

• Describe the key features of the Democratic Party's political style during the era of Jacksonian Democracy.
  • The Democratic Party under Andrew Jackson embraced a new political style that emphasized the power of the common people and challenged the traditional political establishment. This included expanding voting rights, opposing the power of the Second Bank of the United States, and supporting the right of states to nullify federal laws they deemed unconstitutional. The party's populist and anti-elite rhetoric, as well as its willingness to use the power of the federal government to address social and economic issues, were central to the rise of Jacksonian Democracy.
• Explain the role of the Democratic Party in the Nullification Crisis and the Bank War.
  • The Democratic Party played a central role in the Nullification Crisis, where it supported the right of states to nullify federal laws they deemed unconstitutional. This was in direct opposition to the Whig Party, which advocated for a stronger federal government. Additionally, the Democratic Party's opposition to the Second Bank of the United States, which it saw as a tool of the political and economic elite, was a key factor in the Bank War between President Andrew Jackson and the bank's supporters.
• Analyze the impact of the Democratic Party's embrace of majority rule and the use of federal power on the 'Tyranny and Triumph of the Majority' during this period.
  • The Democratic Party's commitment to majority rule and its willingness to use the power of the federal government to address social and economic issues were central to the 'Tyranny and Triumph of the Majority' during this period. The party's populist rhetoric and its ability to mobilize the common people against the perceived elite or establishment allowed it to consolidate power and enact policies that reflected the will of the majority, even if those policies sometimes trampled on the rights of minority groups or challenged the traditional balance of power between the states and the federal government. This dynamic contributed to the tensions and conflicts that characterized the era, as the Democratic Party sought to assert the power of the majority in the face of resistance from its political opponents.

Related terms

Jacksonian Democracy:

A political movement in the 1820s and 1830s that sought to expand voting rights and political power for the common people, led by President Andrew Jackson and the Democratic Party.

Party System: The two-party system in the United States, where the Democratic Party and the Republican Party are the dominant political parties that compete for control of government.

Populism:

A political approach that appeals to the interests and concerns of the common people, often in opposition to the perceived elite or establishment.