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Difficulty: MediumJacksonian Democracy and the Second Party System

Read the excerpt below from the first official platform of the Democratic Party:

"Resolved, That the federal government is one of limited powers, derived solely from the constitution... and that it is inexpedient and dangerous to exercise doubtful constitutional powers.
Resolved, That the constitution does not confer upon the general government the power to commence and carry on a general system of internal improvements...
Resolved, That congress has no power to charter a United States Bank; that we believe such an institution one of deadly hostility to the best interests of the country..."
— Democratic National Platform, 1840

Which of the following debates during the Second Party System was most directly driven by the political philosophy expressed in the excerpt?

  1. The conflict between Democrats and Whigs over the federal government's role in funding national infrastructure projects and managing the currencyAnswer
  2. B
    The dispute between Federalists and Democratic-Republicans over the constitutionality of the Alien and Sedition Acts
  3. C
    The efforts by the Supreme Court under John Marshall to strike down federal charters and expand state control over the economy
  4. D
    The decline of the domestic market economy as states sought to become self-sufficient and end trade with other regions

Answer

The conflict between Democrats and Whigs over the federal government's role in funding national infrastructure projects and managing the currency
The option describing the conflict between Democrats and Whigs over the role of the federal government in the economy is correct because the Second Party System was defined by debates over federal economic policy. Democrats advocated for a limited role, opposing the chartering of a national bank and federal funding for roads and canals (internal improvements). Conversely, the Whig Party favored active federal promotion of economic development through Henry Clay's American System.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the stimulus document.
The stimulus is the 1840 Democratic National Platform, which advocates for a limited federal government, opposes federal internal improvements, and opposes a national bank.
Understanding the source and its main arguments is necessary to identify the political philosophy it represents.
2
Connect the document's arguments to the context of the Second Party System.
The arguments directly represent the Jacksonian Democratic platform, which was contested by the Whig Party during the Second Party System (1830s–1840s).
Placing the document in its correct chronological and thematic context helps narrow down the relevant historical developments.
3
Evaluate the choices to find the debate most directly driven by this philosophy.
The debate between Democrats and Whigs over infrastructure and the national bank represents the direct clash between this philosophy and the Whig American System.
Identifying the correct option requires recognizing the core policy differences between the two major parties of the era.

Key Concept

Jacksonian Democracy and the Second Party System
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Jacksonian Democracy and the Second Party System

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