The First American Political Conventions

Stan M. Haynes

ISBN 10: 0786468920 / ISBN 13: 9780786468928

Published by McFarland and Co Inc, US, 2012

About this Item

For almost two centuries, Americans have relied upon political conventions to provide the nation with new leadership. The modern convention, a four-day, carefully choreographed, prime-time television event designed to portray the party and its candidate in the most favorable light, continues many of the traditions and rules developed during the first conventions in the mid-19th century. This study analyzes the birth of the convention process in the 1830s and follows its development over 40 years, chronicling each of the presidential elections between 1832 and 1872, the leading candidates, and an analysis of the key issues, and memorable speeches and events on the convention floor. Other topics include back-room deal making, "dark horse" candidacies, meeting halls, parades, rallies, and other accompanying hoopla. This volume reveals the origins of a quintessentially American spectacle and sheds new light on an understudied aspect of the nation's political past.

Seller Inventory # LU-9780786468928

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The First American Political Conventions
• Publisher: McFarland and Co Inc, US
• Publication Date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0786468920
• ISBN 13: 9780786468928
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: New
• Weight: 481 grams

About this title

Synopsis

For almost two centuries, Americans have relied upon political conventions to provide the nation with choices for new leadership. As a quintessentially American spectacle, the modern conventions continue many of the traditions and rules developed during the first political conventions in the mid-nineteenth century. This study analyzes the birth of the convention process in the 1830s and follows its development over forty years, chronicling each of the presidential elections from 1832 to 1872, including campaigns that involved the giants of the era, Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay, and Abraham Lincoln. For each election, the leading candidates, key issues, and memorable speeches and events that occurred on the convention floor are evaluated, as well as back-room deal-making, "dark horse" candidacies, and an analysis of the meeting halls, the accompanying parades, rallies, and other political hoopla that took place in the convention cities.  By exploring the first political conventions, this volume sheds new light on a political ritual that is still the focal point of the modern American presidential campaign.

About the Author

Stan M. Haynes has practiced law with the Baltimore law firm of Semmes, Bowen & Semmes since 1983. He lives in Ellicott City, Maryland.