Second Party System

Definition

The Second Party System refers to the political party framework in the United States from the 1820s to the 1850s, characterized primarily by the rivalry between the Democratic Party and the Whig Party. This period marked a significant evolution in American political life, featuring heightened voter participation and a clearer delineation of political ideologies, which were influenced by social and economic changes of the time.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Second Party System saw an increase in voter turnout and engagement, with participation reaching over 70% in some elections during this period.
2. The Democratic Party, under leaders like Andrew Jackson, championed populist policies and appealed to the common man, while the Whigs attracted more elite and business-oriented voters.
3. Major issues during this period included debates over tariffs, internal improvements, and slavery, which would eventually fracture the Whig Party.
4. The Second Party System's collapse in the late 1850s led to the rise of new parties such as the Republican Party, fundamentally altering American political dynamics.
5. This era also reflected broader societal changes, including rapid urbanization and economic transformation, which influenced political alignments and voter behaviors.

Review Questions

• How did the Second Party System change voter participation compared to previous political periods?
  • The Second Party System significantly increased voter participation compared to earlier political periods. The establishment of strong party organizations mobilized voters and created a more competitive electoral environment. With both major parties actively campaigning for support and adopting strategies that appealed to the common people, voter turnout soared to unprecedented levels, reaching as high as 70% in some elections. This shift marked a democratization of American politics as more citizens engaged in the electoral process.
• Discuss how economic changes during the early 19th century influenced the emergence of the Second Party System.
  • Economic changes such as industrialization and westward expansion greatly influenced the emergence of the Second Party System. The rise of manufacturing created new economic interests that sought representation in politics, leading to the formation of parties that reflected these interests. The Democratic Party focused on agrarian concerns while promoting westward expansion, whereas the Whig Party championed modernization and protective tariffs. This economic backdrop helped define their respective platforms and shaped political discourse during this period.
• Evaluate the factors that contributed to the collapse of the Second Party System and its impact on American politics going forward.
  • The collapse of the Second Party System was driven by multiple factors, including deepening divisions over slavery, internal disagreements within both major parties, and the rise of sectional tensions. As debates over slavery intensified in the 1850s, particularly with events like the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the Dred Scott decision, it became increasingly difficult for parties to maintain unity. This fragmentation led to the formation of new political entities such as the Republican Party, which fundamentally reshaped American politics by introducing new ideological battles. The disintegration of this system set the stage for heightened political conflict leading into the Civil War.

Related terms

Democratic Party:

A major political party that emerged from the Democratic-Republican Party in the 1820s, advocating for agrarian interests and states' rights, and later supporting policies such as westward expansion.

Whig Party:

A political party formed in the 1830s in opposition to the policies of President Andrew Jackson, promoting modernization, banking interests, and protective tariffs.

Political Realignment: A significant change in political alliances and party organization that often leads to a shift in electoral support among groups and regions, commonly seen during major national events or crises.