Politics of the 19th Century
By Robert McNamara, About.com Guide
The 19th century was a rough and tumble time for politics, and its influence endures. So much of our current political system is still deeply rooted in the turmoil of the 1800s.
Things to Know
The 19th century set many precedents in American politics and also brought lots of new terminology into the language.
- Why Do We Vote On a Tuesday In November?
- Stump Speech
- Brokered Convention
- Dark Horse Candidate
- First Political Conventions
- Tammany Hall, New York's Machine
- Best Inaugural Addresses
- Worst Inaugural Addresses
- Extinct Political Parties
- The Know-Nothing Party
- Lincoln-Douglas Debates: Seven Facts to Know
Significant Elections
The major elections of the 1800s changed the political landscape at the time and still resonate today.
- 1800: A Deadlock Had To Be Broken
- 1812: Election During Wartime
- 1824: The Corrupt Bargain
- 1828: The Dirtiest Campaign Ever
- 1840: Tippecanoe and Tyler Too!
- 1860: Lincoln's Win Split the Country
- 1876: The Great Stolen Election
- 1884: Scandal and Gaffe
Political Giants
The figures who dominated politics in the 19th century.
- Abraham Lincoln
- Henry Clay
- Aaron Burr, Notorious Vice President
- Stephen Douglas, The Little Giant
- John Tyler, the Unexpected President
- John Marshall, The Great Chief Justice
- Edmund Ruffin, Confederate Firebrand
- Horace Greeley, Editor and Power Broker
- William Lloyd Garrison, Abolitionist
Issues and Controversies
In America's political landscape of the 19th century, major issues included issues of federal power, going to war, the rights of workers, and, towering over all else, the issue of slavery.
- Slavery in America
- Compromises Postponed the Civil War
- History of Labor in the 19th Century
- The Nullification Crisis
Early Presidents
The earliest presidents set the tone for politics throughout the 19th century and created precedents followed by all the nation's later chief executives.