This week and next, we will examine the economic, political and social forces that shaped American society during the Jacksonian era. At that time, both religious revivalism and social reformmovements grew in importance not only on the local, but also on a national level. The former was threatening because it implied social equality and the latter because it called into question well-established norms.

Certainly, discussions about equality have always been part of the American political discourse. During the American Revolution, for example, destitute Virginians questioned the political influence of the planter elite. But in this age of Jackson, challenging social norms seemed more prevalent. Even in homes, individuals began to question the traditional values of marriage and sought new forms of partnership. Increasingly discussions about race and gender found a national platform. In fact, America in the 1830s reflects the discussions about race, gender and family of the 1960s.

Recall one objective of this course is to understand the evolution of political ideologies. Consequently, you should understand how the political climate of the Jacksonian era led to a widening gap between the forces of nationalism and sectionalism. At a simple level, you could say that this tension was a result of competition between the forces of industrialization and agriculture. In other words, it is a continuation of the old Jeffersonian debate. Should America be a Utopian agrarian democracy, Jefferson's dream of an 'Empire of Liberty', or a thriving commercial society split alone class lines as envisioned by the Federalists?

Early proponents of the factory system lauded the benefits of textile manufacturing, especially for single women. Yet, the textile factories failed to live up to that Utopian vision. As in England, the home of the industrial revolution, manufacturing altered the traditional lifestyle of the countryside (see Revealing Women) and placed increased burden on child labor (For a comparison with England see Women Workers in the British Industrial Revolution as well as Child Labor during the British Industrial Revolution). Social critics questioned this mechanization of work. These critics were equally loud in congress.

Congressional debates represent larger national questions about the future of American society. The Webster-Hayne debate is just one example of the highly polarized political culture of the time. Ideologically Jacksonian democrats shunned high tariffs and government involvement in internal improvement programs; whereas Whigs favored a more active federal government. These divergent ideologies led to the creation of America's Second Two Party System. Though both parties had a national following, their political views catered to sectional interests.

The debates surrounding nationalism raise important questions because nationalism, in many ways, is a collective historical experience. How does a society create nationalism? In the 20th century, the media has done its part to create a truly national cultural identity. People in many parts of the country enjoy the same shows, watch the same sporting events, and listen to similar music. In the 19th century, however, that collective national identity was not shared by everyone to the same degree. In many cases, loyalty to family, town and state was more important.