...Jacksonian Democrats was to amplify the strength of the poor, and decrease the influence and power of the wealthy. Economically, the Jacksonian Democrats benefitted because during this time, transportation was beginning to improve, and therefore commerce was boosted. However, President Jackson was forced to deal with the issue of the National Bank, which he believed held too much power and control over national economy. He also was forced to handle other important issues such as slavery, westward expansion, and sectionalism, and many people would come to dislike him for his opinion on these topics. For these reasons, Jacksonian Democracy impacted politics, national economy, and the status of the Union in both positive and negative ways. Previous to 1828, most of the men who held a high office were wealthy, aristocratic men who were brought up by established parents. These men were always educated, usually having completed college. Jackson was only the second president to take office without a college education, and this is one of the reasons why he appealed so much to all kinds of people, particularly the middle and lower classes. Jackson’s inauguration changed the way people looked at the government. People came from all around to be a part of the inauguration. The masses really respected him because he acknowledged all people. Many were shocked at his inauguration when he, “…bowed again to the people—Yes, to the people, in all their majesty,”(Document A). After the...
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...serve as our president for two terms. His valiant decisions in events such as the Bank War, South Carolina’s Nullification Act, and the Indian Removal Act ensured that the majority of Americans opinions would be represented. As a democratic leader elected by the majority of the American people, it is only right that he has responded to and executed the American majority’s beliefs. During Jackson’s first term, the state of South Carolina initialized the Nullification Act. This state act called for South Carolina to nullify any federal institutionalized law to which they found unconstitutional. Despite having ratified the constitution and taken the vow to uphold it, South...
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...to conduct business with large bills. In a final attempt to end the Bank, Jackson ordered it to cease issuing pensions to Revolutionary War veterans and to relinquish those funds. Biddle refused, and the bank battle quickly deteriorated. Jackson's own Attorney General questioned the moves, and Jackson faced barrages from business leaders up and down the East Coast who thought he must mean to ruin the country. Some Democrats began to leave the party. Joining with National Republican, states righters, nullifiers, and other Jackson enemies, they formed the Whig party–headed by none other than Clay. The views of those involved were so disparate that they could only unify under the banner of opposing Jackson's bold new uses of Presidential authority. Indeed, the Whig newspapers soon mockingly anointed Jackson "King Andrew I." The new party, coupled with a rumor that a new bank might launch in New York to counter the national bank, brought the nation new fear of financial disaster. Although Van Buren eventually quieted the new bank rumors, the country still hung in the balance when the Senate voted to officially censure Jackson for his actions in February 1834. Adding insult to injury, the Senate also refused to confirm Jackson's new Treasury Secretary. Jackson filed a protest with the Senate, saying the Bank's abuses of power made it an "imperative duty" for him as chief executive to rid the country of the Bank. He...
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...Richard Hofstadter analyzes Andrew Jackson’s career as well as his concept of “Jacksonian Democracy.” After reading this chapter I was able to find the similarities and differences between the two principles of “Jacksonian Democracy” and “Jeffersonian Democracy.” Jacksonian Democracy and Jeffersonian Democracy are very similar in most aspects. As the Presidents of the United States they both had the same goals and views. They both were in favor for the common people in the society and believed that it was those who should have the most influence in government, and not the rich. They both believed in the “common men” which did not include minorities like Blacks and Native Americans. Each created their own democracy that helped influence the...
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...supported a small and limited federal government. Jackson’s frugal approach and his strict constructionalist views lead to many domestic issues in the country including the Indian Removal Act, the Nullification Crisis, and the 2nd National Bank of the United States. His positions on the issues lead people to question his ability to lead the country. The Indian Removal Act was signed into law by President Andrew Jackson on May 28, 1830. The act authorized him to negotiate with the Native Americans in the Southern United States for their removal to federal territory west of the Mississippi River in exchange for their homelands. In the 1820s Georgians began to demand that the United States extinguish the Indian title to lands within their state. While the federal government tried to create inducements to convince the Southeastern Indians to leave their homes, the discovery of gold in Georgia led to more aggressive demands for immediate removal. The election of Andrew Jackson to the presidency in 1828 encouraged Georgia and its land-hungry settlers. Jackson made his position clear in his first message to Congress. He told the Cherokees that they had no constitutional means to resist and that it was in their best interest voluntarily to move west. Staying would lead to their destruction. Another domestic issue that occurred as a result of Jackson’s frugal approach and his strict constructionalist views is the destruction of the 2nd National Bank of the United...
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...The Birth of Modern Politics Jackson’s modest background and standing as a national hero helped him win the election of 1828. Large numbers of western farmers and people in the cities supported him due to the fact that voting laws changed. Many people saw Jackson’s rise to power as an inspiring and great story. He was the first U.S. President that was not from an upper-class family, and the first from the western United States. For this reason, Jackson was considered a friend of the common man, and the first people’s president. Jackson’s victory was considered a triumph for the working people. He began to use his veto powers enthusiastically and felt as if he was the servant to the people. Unlike the 1824 election, no other major candidates appeared in the race, allowing Jackson to consolidate a power base and easily win an electoral victory over Adams. There was little doubt among Americans that Jackson was going to win the election of 1828. His popularity continued to grow and his supporters dominated state legislatures to help ensure his election. There was fright among his opponents that he would institute a military dictatorship and run the country into the ground. Jackson depolarized American politics and for this alone, Jackson should be seen as an important president. In the campaign of 1828, Jackson's views distinguished him from John Quincy Adams. While Adams viewed an active government as the way to achieve true liberty, Jackson preferred to limit governmental...
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...controversial presidents, or even an outlaw, amongst the U.S. Jackson was a strong advocate for war and protecting his country. His early life was without a doubt, dissimilar from many presidents. Although, the traumatizing experiences he endured will be the fuel that would soon spark the flames of Jackson’s journey to glory. It was Jackson’s mother envisioned his leader like abilities early, in which she spent her last dime on his education. In 1779, Jackson and his brother were exposed early to the brutal tactics of the American Revolutionary war. The betrayal of a local Waxhaw loyalty led to their capture by British troops and forced to clean boots. The refusing Jackson was sliced over the head with a sword. They both undertook many health problems (including smallpox), which would eventually lead to the death of his brother. Shortly after, his mother died which left Jackson orphaned at 14. Jackson attracted many different jobs before finally settling in Tennessee, as a public prosecutor in 1787. With his salary being the 2nd highest in the state, He continued to climb up the political ladder and gain respect from locals. With much passion about the military, Jackson gained national reputation from his superior military exploits starting in 1812. After decimating the Indians and defeating the strong British in the Battle of New Orleans, Jackson was recognized by the congress and received a gold medal. With Eli Whitney’s cotton gin changing the economic atmosphere, Jackson invested...
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...The era of the “common man” is described as the era of prosperity and power of the American, every day people; which occurred before, during, and after Andrew Jackson’s presidency. This name suits the time period fairly well if one is to consider the economic development, changing politics, and various reform movements, that took place within 1824-1848 in a thriving American nation. It was not perfect, yet it was a time of various alteration. Nearing the end of John Quincy Adams’s presidency, the Tariff of 1828 severely crippled the Southern economy. This “tariff of abominations” earned Adams a bad reputation amongst the southerners. It allowed for the Northeast to prosper by protecting them from foreign competition, while the South was stuck...
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...the western lands issue. The Confederation’s weakness in handling foreign policy, commerce and the Shays Rebellion spurred the movement to alter the Articles. Instead of revising the Articles, the well-off delegates to the Constitutional Convention created a charter for a whole new government. In a series of compromises, the convention produced a plan that provided for a vigorous central government, a strong executive, the protection for property, while still upholding republican principles and states’ rights. The Federalists met strong opposition from Anti-Federalists, especially in Virginia and New York, but through effective organization and argument, they succeeded in getting the Constitution ratified. By establishing the new national government, the Federalists checked the Revolutionary values of the popular republican government. Terms/names/topics:...
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...privileged people, he had to do it his whole life. During Jackson’s presidency, he introduced very important decisions to better the country. One of these important decisions was the indian removal act. This act was created to ensure the growth of America and by enforcing the removal of the indians to the west, the states would flourish. Although it brings many opposing views, the Indian Removal Act was very significant. This is because...
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...intrigued by governmental affairs and effecting democracy to satisfy the same "common man’s” desire. Jackson could not make such foundational changes without he nations support. Jacksonian Democrats, as they progressively became know as, carried a significant number of fellowship during the 1820’s and 1830’s. They encouraged most of the issues that President Jackson saw importance in. Men of Jacksonian stature regarded themselves highly because they recognized and realized their responsibilities as American citizens and founders. They realized that their political leadership had a true divine purpose to enhance our nation as well to protect and serve the American people under the ideal of popular sovereignty. The Jacksonians condoned their self-view of one another in their genuine attempts to guard the United States Constitution. Such was done in two separate significant ways, one advocating equality of economic opportunity and advancing political democracy. A headlining characteristic of the Jacksonian Era was the support for equality of the common man. As the United States established its dominance in size and age, the stratification of society was assuring. In the 1820’s class division became a major dilemma due to an unchanging society. This greatly defaced the American ideal of equality and economic opportunities for everyone. On numerous occasions.upper class used their status and governmental power to thrust themselves away from the lights of the lower classes, establishing...
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...Presidents Jackson and Jefferson both claimed to be supporters of what was known as the 'common man' – white men who didn't belong in the upper class. Both also claimed to champion democracy. However, their views of democracy and their treatment of the 'common man' were wildly different. While Jefferson had a vision of a small, agrarian vision which led him to support the growth of the class of the 'common man', he didn't believe in or support extending their rights or protecting them at the expense of elites. Andrew Jackson was the more active proponent of the common man, and therefore had more of a right to claim that he forwarded democracy. This is shown in Jackson's belief in rotation of office holders, which allowed men who weren't career politicians to influence government; his closing of the...
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...The National Pride of the United States The changing nation reflected a growing sense of national pride and identity. From the year 1815 to 1840, a lot happened in the United States that cause the country to unite and grow together, but also fall apart. The Era of Good Feelings was the time period after the War of 1812, 1815 to 1824, when James Monroe strengthened the country greatly. The Age of Jackson started in 1828 when Andrew Jackson’s presidency somewhat benefitted the Americans, but hurt other civilizations. Towards the end of Andrew Jackson’s presidency, the states were conflicted about the economy, and they wanted to agree on what the rights of the states truly were. The changing of the United States showed they were independent...
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...Chapter 7: The Rise of Manufacturing and the Age of Jackson (1820–1845) THE GROWTH OF THE FACTORY Economic growth was a key component of Henry Clay’s American System, and in the aftermath of the War of 1812, measures were taken to expand American industry. American industries were protected by the Tariff of 1816, which raised import tariffs by 25 percent. At the same time state governments began improving road, river, and canal transportation systems. Before 1820 almost all products made in America were completed using a system borrowed from Europe called the putting-out system. Under this system merchants would buy the raw materials, recruit dozens, or in some case hundreds, of farm families to do the work, and then sell the finished product. Many shoes in New England were made in this manner; women and children would make part of the shoe, which would be finished by experienced shoemakers. Beginning in the late 1780s the textile industry started to use power-driven machines and interchangeable parts. All power in these early factories came from water, so the early factories all were located along rivers. Most were located in New England or the Middle states. In the 1790s factories like those in Lowell, Massachusetts, began to weave cotton imported from the south. With the introduction of the cotton gin in the same decade, more cotton became available, and production boomed. By 1840 the textile industry employed nearly 75,000 workers, with almost half of...
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...Chapter 13 Mark the one best answer for each of the following questions. 53. In the 1820s and 1830s one issue that greatly raised the political stakes was a. economic prosperity. b. the Peggy Eaton affair. c. a lessening of political party organizations. d. the demise of the Whig Party. e. slavery. 54. The new two party political system that emerged in the 1830s and 1840s a. divided the nation further. b. was seen at the time as a weakening of democracy. c. resulted in the Civil War. d. fulfilled the wishes of the founding fathers. e. became an important part of the nation’s checks and balances. 55. In the 1820s and 1830s the public’s attitude regarding political parties a. grew more negative. b. saw little change from the early years of our nation. c. reinforced the belief of the Era of Good Feelings. d. accepted the sometimes wild contentiousness of political life. e. none of the above. 56. By the 1840s new techniques of politicking included all of the following except a. the use of banners. b. free drinks. c. parades. d. baby kissing. e. deference...
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