It was a surprise that Bancroft got into Democratic politics. He was born and bred in conservative Massachusetts of the early 1800's, a son of a unitarian reverend and son-in-law of wealthy capitalist Jonathan Dwight. But, according to historian Arthur Schlesinger Jr., Bancroft was too clever and skeptical for the Boston and Harvard scenes. A trip to Europe after his Harvard graduation really opened his eyes.
Becoming a Jacksonian
He embraced democracy. On July 4th, 1826, Bancroft declared in a speech that he was in favor of "a determined, uncompromising democracy." Later, he wrote a negative article in the North American Review about the Bank of the United States. A follow-up article was so hostile to the B.U.S. that the editor refused to publish it. Bancroft confided to politician Martin Van Buren that the bank was contrary to the principle of equal rights.
However, Bancroft refused to run for public office when nominated or asked by Jacksonians or the Workingmen's Party. He also doubted President Andrew Jackson's qualifications during the 1832 campaign, helping to draft an anti-Jackson address on behalf of the National Republican State Convention. Meanwhile, Bancroft was working on the first volume of his acclaimed History of the United States, tracing the progress of liberty. Schlesinger claimed this exercise helped Bancroft make a full conversion.
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