The Impact Of Jacksonian Democracy

A time of immense change and political involvement, the antebellum years of the early 1800s is one of the most intriguing time periods of America’s history. Harry L. Watson’s incredible book, Liberty and Power: The Politics of Jacksonian America, details the ups and downs of politics during Jacksonian America. Watson does a great job on explaining how the eighteenth century concept of republicanism transformed nineteenth century America in the form of a ‘market revolution.’ Social, political and economic changes were the center of life during Jacksonian America. Watson’s synthesis is a must-read for anyone interested in Jacksonian politics.

Sectional differences like the north vs. the south, the rich vs. the poor, and manufacturing vs. agriculture resurfaced during the Jacksonian era because of the reemergence of political parties. To begin, during the Era of Good Feelings, most sectional differences disappeared due to the fact that there were no political parties. The Federalist party had disappeared after news of the Hartford Convention broke out, leaving the Democratic-Republican party the sole party. However, during the Jacksonian Era, two political parties emerged: National Republicans and Democrats. This caused sectional differences to resurface.

Watson’s book further describes that Andrew Jackson and Henry Clay mainly had political differences, morals, and characteristics. Although Andrew Jackson- like Henry Clay- was a supporter of increased democracy and economic development, he and his supporters still tended to believe that the growing wealth and power of

During the “Age of Jackson” in the 1820’s, the argument over whether or not to expand American suffrage was a conflicting one. Those who opposed the expansion of suffrage argued that it was a “dangerous expansion of democracy”, while those who favored the expansion believed it to be morally correct and helpful to the democratic system. Those who favored the expansion of American suffrage believed it to be a natural right that should be utilized by able white men. This expansion of suffrage was believed to lead to a stronger and healthier American democracy.

From 1929 to 1939, black Tuesday brought financial despair and political uncertainty to the nation, triggering a domino effect of challenges to democratic systems in the United States. With a crippled economy, distrust of the government and civil unrest hanging over the nation, the American people were forced to confront the hard truth that their government, the idea of democracy and the carefully constructed society they lived in could not guarantee economic prosperity. The resulting desperation prompted the American people to scrutinize the motives, efficiency and freedoms of the nation's democratic governance. This essay will explore the extent to which the Great Depression caused and sustained challenges to democracy in the United

Andrew Jackson emerged as a war hero from the Battle of New Orleans in 1815. In the election of 1828, Jackson’s campaign brought the common man into voting booths by sweeping votes in the south and west, mainly agrarian farmers and frontiersmen looking to expand west, while John Quincy Adams took most of the Old Federalist votes in the New England region. While Jacksonian Democrats viewed themselves as the guardians of the Constitution and protectors of political democracy, individual freedoms and equality in terms of economic opportunity, they also took credit for increased white male suffrage, as voting participation increased dramatically through the Jackson era. However, the problems such as slavery, Indian removal policies, woman’s and

Throughout the early 19th century, changing politics and an evolving society in America impacted all classes of people, specifically the white working class. Jacksonian Democratic ideals was influenced by the working class, and the white working class benefited from President Jackson’s decisions. During the year of Jackson’s presidential election, the Workies, which consisted of working men, wanted to protect individuals who earned money from arduous labor, but failed to make payments punctually. Jacksonian Democrats realized the Workies language was valuable in the fact that beliefs of the Workies group echoed through Jackson’s party.

Countless citizens in the 1840s and 1850s, feeling a sense of mission, believed that Almighty God had “manifestly’’ destined the American people for a hemispheric career. They would spread their uplifting and ennobling democratic institutions over at least the entire continent. Land greed and ideals—“empire’’ and “liberty’’—were thus conveniently conjoined. 14. What political party cost Henry Clay the popular vote in the state of New York, & what is ironic about Polk’s election in 1844 regarding this party’s position on Texas?

The era of Andrew Jackson which was nicknames the era of the “common man” certainly lived up to its name. As the seventh President of the United States, Jackson had a major effect on the life of the common man, in such a way that the life of the common man would never be the same again. Jackson’s aim, after the manner in which he was defeated in the Presidential Election of 1824, despite receiving more popular votes than John Quincy Adams who took on the office, was to reduce the power and the authority of the elite. When he came into power after the 1828 election Jackson began to carry out his proposals. Jackson expanded the voting right to all men, in accordance with the Declaration of Independence of 1776 which declared that “all men are created equal” instead of just the elite.

Andrew Jackson was seen as a common man the voice of the people by some. By others he was King Andrew, trampling the constitution and instigating tyranny. Jackson’s presidency impacted democracy, through his use of the veto power, and his claim of Clay creating a “corrupt bargain”, which is not a turning point for a rise in democracy despite him giving white male suffrage. During Jackson’s use of executive power weakened voice of the people.

The economic plan known as the American System came into existence when the next generation of politicians gained their office positions (Schultz,Mays,Winfree,2010). The plan, an updated version developed by Democratic-Republicans who had externally endorsed Jefferson's small government plan, but intently desired the advocacy of the federal government. The ringleaders for the American System were Henry Clay of Kentucky and John C. Calhoun of South Carolina. From their perspective, the government should create roads and canals for internal improvements, in which allowed for economic growth between states. They wanted to establish secure banks instead of allowing the people to borrow from shady money lenders.

Andrew Jackson was one of the greatest presidents who made very difficult decisions for our country. Although his choices were not always the popular decision, he made choices that were always promoting democracy. The things that make a good democracy are: giving people a say in government, having a good leader that you can trust to make wise decisions, peace and stability between each country and other states, and having equal power in the government (checks and balances). Andrew Jackson came into office with a popular vote and great support. His supporters viewed him as a man of the people.

Also he wanted the offices that are solely to benefit the people so that no man has more rights than another. Finally, Jackson was not democratic because he wanted the Indians to move out of his land. So he decided to have the U.S. Soldiers move them west into the Indian territory.

Jacksonian Democrats beliefs are more similar to the Populist party’s beliefs than different in political, economic, and social ways. Their limited differences are based on the time periods and problems they faced respectively. The political beliefs held by Jacksonian Democrats and the Populist Party centered around the limiting of big government in people 's lives. The election of Andrew Jackson limited federal power because the Democratic party used a national convention to nominate him, giving power to people not the caucus of elite men. This limiting of the federal government in the Jacksonian era is very similar to the limiting seen in the Populist Party.

The Jacksonian Era was the time period of Andrew Jackson’s presidency. This began in 1828 when Jackson was elected president. The era is sometimes described as a time when the United States experienced the “democratization of politics.” In a democracy every citizen has an equal say in the government's decisions and actions. Some people of this time period believed that Jackson is notable for democratizing the United States during the Jacksonian Era.