Page 256 - American Stories, A History of the United States

10

the Triumph of White

Men’s Democracy 1824–1840

Democratic Space: The New
Hotels
D uring the 1820s and 1830s,

the United States became a more democratic
country for at least some of its population. The
emerging spirit of popular democracy found
expression in a new institution—the large
hotel with several stories and hundreds of rooms. President-
elect Andrew Jackson, the political figure who best repre-
sented the spirit of the age, stayed in the new National Hotel
when he arrived in Washington in 1829 to prepare for
his administration. After a horde of well-wishers
made a shambles of the White House dur-
ing his inaugural reception in March 1829,
Jackson retreated to the hotel again for a
little peace and a chance to consult with
his advisers. The National was only one
of several large “first-class” hotels that
opened immediately before or during
Jackson’s presidency. Among the oth-
ers were the Tremont House in Boston,
the Baltimore City Hotel, and New
York’s Astor House.
The hotel boom responded to
Americans’ increasing tendency to move

Lear N i N g O B J e C T i v e S

10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4

How did the What political What What was the
relationship conflicts did were the two-party
between the President arguments for system, and
government Andrew and against how were
and the Jackson face the Bank of the parties
people and how did the United different?
change he resolve States? p. 237 p. 241 Astor House New York’s Astor House, completed in 1863,
during this them? p. 229 was one of the grandest of the new American hotels, offering fine
accommodations to travelers who could afford to pay for them.
time? p. 225

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