Young America Discussion
The early republic witnessed a paradox of democratic development. On the one
hand, more Americans participated in political life, yet whole segments of
the population in America-notably slaves and Native Americans-were excluded
from American democracy. How did this period reconcile this apparent
paradox? How did it justify expanding political participation for white men
while relocating Native Americans, enslaving blacks of African descent, and
denying women of all ranks important roles in public life?
