A hybrid fellow’s forum with Mercedes Haigler, Ph.D candidate in History at the University of Virginia from July 18, 2023. Recording available.
About the Presentation
Mercedes Haigler’s research examines the intersection between sociability and partisan development in the emerging political communities of Philadelphia and Washington City, 1790-1830. In the early republic, political alliances and partisan positions were often created and curated outside of Congress, in social spaces that included men and women as essential players. Paradoxically, politicians used traditionally apolitical domestic spaces and social events-- often curated and maintained by women-- to create deeper and more complex partisan identities, heightened differences, oppositional policy positions, and new political instruments to consolidate power in Congress. Haigler’s work examines the creation and evolution of the partisan caucus, a foundational, but overlooked, political tool that was essential to the formation of political parties in the United States. During this period, partisan activities were not yet seen as a legitimate element of the political process. Mindful of the sensitive and suspicious nature of political culture during this period, politicians needed a way to protect their reputations from harm while engaging in partisan activities. This work demonstrates that feminized sociability helped disguise and legitimize caucus organization, thus protecting partisans from outside scrutiny. Although partisan caucuses were originally devised to be a temporary solution to intense political crisis, varied forms of caucusing would ultimately become a constant in party development, keeping partisanship alive until it could be legitimized and publicized during the Jacksonian era.
About Mercedes Haigler:
Mercedes “Sadie” Haigler is a Ph.D candidate in History at the University of Virginia, where she works with Drs. Christa Dierksheide and Elizabeth R. Varon on the study of political culture, sociability, and partisan development in the early United States. She holds a B.A. in Vocal Performance and graduated with a B.A. in History from Alice Lloyd College. She also received her M.A. in History from the University of Virginia in 2021.When she is not working on her dissertation, she enjoys concert going, visiting national parks, and horseback riding.