Politics in America took shape between 1820 and 1850, when many groups were allowed to participate in elections as voters. However, some scholars are of the view that politics at the time were more restrictive, partisan, and controlled by the national parties. From 1790 onwards, many states in America expelled a law that allowed only men with property to engage in elections. This means that some white men without property could also be involved in the voting process. Before the adjustment of the voting laws, only owners of the means of production could qualify as voters. However, Africans were still discriminated, even though white men were allowed to vote.
By 1840, only three states, including Rhodes Island, Virginia, and Louisiana, denied poor white men an opportunity to vote. In the same period, Africans could be involved in the voting process in only five states. Surprisingly, women were never allowed to take part in electing their preferred leaders in all states. The dominance of parties was revived since only two parties could compete in elections. This was the same as the struggles in the Jeffersonian times whereby federalists and republics competed for state power. In 1828, party conflicts were rampant since the president supported a group that backed his presidency. Since then, the US has always been guided by the principles of the two major parties, including Democrats and Republicans.
A close analysis reveals that awarding white men the right to take part in elections was a guided democracy since it did not allow the society to participate freely in the selection of its leaders. This was an attempt to sideline one race, which was depended upon in economic development. Blacks were still sidelined in the making of major governmental policies since they did not have representatives at any level. During Jackson’s leadership, party politics was the order of the day since each political party fought fiercely to land a seat at any level. Parties spent too much time selling their ideas and principles to the electorate, with the Democrats claiming that they would provide an enabling environment for individual fulfillment. The losers in the system were slaves who were relegated to the periphery in terms of economic and social development. Constitutionally, they did not have any right regarding voting and conducting business.
All owners of the means of production and whites were the great winners since they used the opportunity to impose leaders to innocent locals and blacks who were never represented at any level. After the revolution, some reforms were instituted, which gave the poor an opportunity to engage in socio-political and economic development. They could participate in voting, as well as presenting their candidature during elections.