Final answer:
The nineteenth century saw the expansion of political power for white males, especially with the Democratic Party's rise which leveraged new suffrage laws, the spoils system, and political machines, while disenfranchising women, free Black people, and Native Americans.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nineteenth century in American politics saw a marked expansion of political power among White men, alongside the rise of political parties that harnessed new democratic currents.
These movements ultimately reinforced the disenfranchisement of other groups. For instance, the Democratic Party emerged to leverage state laws that extended suffrage to white males, pioneering the first modern political party system.
However, this expansion was limited and did not include women, free Black people, and Native Americans, who faced increasing disenfranchisement.
Political developments like the spoils system showcased a tie between party loyalty and employment in the government post-election.
This system had its roots in the formation of the Democratic Party and was an example of the evolving landscape of American politics where voting rights were becoming more widespread among White men but remained restricted for others.
Furthermore, Southern states implemented measures like poll taxes and literacy tests to suppress the black vote. Such exclusionary tactics reinforced white supremacy and significantly diminished the political influence of African Americans in the South.
Combined with the decline of the Federalist Party and the emergence of political machines that often engaged in corruption and voter manipulation, the political arena became a domain largely controlled by affluent White men.