The Road to Mobocracy: Popular Disorder in New York City, by Paul Gilje, focuses on rioting throughout New York City, specifically between the time period of the American Revolution and the Age of Jackson. Gilje analyzes the reasons and methods of such riots. Each riot “reflects major social and intellectual changes during that period” (Gilje viii). Regarding Jacksonian Democracy, he states that a new political system of democracy was formed, “aiming to moderate the many competing interests” (Gilje vii). However, it caused prejudices, such as religious, ethnic, racial and class differences, to reveal themselves, creating schisms in society rather than bringing them together.
I agree with the argument that Gilje stated. Jackson during his presidency sought to broaden the public’s participation in the government. But, the actions taken only supported white men, which in New York City accounted for 75-90% of the population in 1830. Voting was not restricted to the select few who owned property, but all white men can vote now. The idea of laissez-faire economics favored those who were already in a position of economic power, allowing for monopolization of some companies as an example. This form of unregulated capitalism created a bigger group of middle, upper-middle and upper classes in New York City. New York City was deemed the “financial and mercantile capital of the western hemisphere” due to its economic ambition and increase in immigration. However, this caused divisions in society, with the wealthy living in areas such as Broadway and Washington Square and those in poverty to live in the Lower East Side.
