* The federal government was relatively weak in the 1840s.
* The bureaucracy was small and inefficient.
* The president had limited power.
* Congress was often gridlocked by sectional disputes.
State and Local Government
* The states had much more power than the federal government.
* They controlled most aspects of everyday life, such as education, law enforcement, and transportation.
* Local governments were even more powerful, responsible for providing basic services such as water, sewage, and fire protection.
Political Parties
* Two main political parties dominated American politics in the 1840s: the Democrats and the Whigs.
* The Democrats were generally more supportive of states' rights and individual liberty.
* The Whigs were more supportive of a strong federal government and economic development.
Elections
* Elections were held every two years for the House of Representatives and every four years for the presidency.
* Only white men over the age of 21 were allowed to vote.
* Voter turnout was low, typically around 50% of eligible voters.
The Electoral College
* The president was not directly elected by the people.
* Instead, each state held an election to choose a slate of electors who would then vote for president.
* The candidate who received the majority of electoral votes became president.