Final answer:
The second party system emerged due to the expansion of voting rights, the ideological split during Andrew Jackson's presidency between the Democrats and the Whigs, and the social and economic changes of the early 1840s.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Development of the Second Party System
The collapse of the first party system and the rise of the second party system in American politics were driven by several factors. The first party system fell apart as new issues, including those pertaining to economic and geographical growth, emerged and required fresh political perspectives. Furthermore, an expanded electorate, due to states dropping property qualifications for voting, along with the decision that the voters—not state legislators—would choose their representatives to the Electoral College (with a few exceptions), propelled the changes. This expansion of voting rights and political participation was a key factor in the development of the second party system in the United States.
During the Age of the Common Man, which coincided with Andrew Jackson's presidency, there emerged a split over Jackson's policies, giving rise to two dominant political parties: the Democrats and the Whigs. The Democrats, who supported Jackson, believed that the government should represent the majority's will and focus on the interests of the common citizen. On the other hand, the Whigs advocated for the government’s role in promoting economic growth, reflecting nationalist tendencies prevalent after the War of 1812. This ideological split over the direction of national policy was fundamental in forming the second party system.
As the nation evolved socially and economically in the early 1840s, these changes influenced Americans' political views and cemented the installation of a two-party structure. The second party system was characterized by a greater level of party organization and voter mobilization. However, it took political leaders time to appreciate the potential benefits and challenges of creating national coalitions of voters with diverse local interests.