The striking feature of the Jacksonian era was the increase in the influence of the common man.
Jacksonian Democracy can be considered an outgrowth of Jefferson's ideas that the people should rule. The Jacksonian Democratic movement was also the consequence of the growth and energy of the nation during the 1830s and 1840s. Prosperity meant more people could consider politics. Politicians and participation in politics grew. There was an increase in education available to citizens and the right to vote was being extended, especially in the west. Jackson believed in the ability of the "common man" to participate in government. He made use of the spoils system to reward his supporters. Jacksonian Democracy believed in equal opportunity extended to white males. The attitude towards women, children, Blacks, and Indians were typical of the time. Jacksonian Democracy also believed in the supremacy of the power of the national government over states' rights advocates. property requirements for voting had been eliminated
While Jefferson considered himself as part of the “natural aristocrats, Jacksonian Democracy can be considered an outgrowth of Jefferson’s ideas that the people should rule. The Jacksonian Democratic movement was also the consequence of the growth and energy of the nation during the 1830s and 1840s. Prosperity meant more people could consider politics as a means of employment. Politicians and participation in politics grew. There was an increase in education available to citizens and the right to vote was being extended, especially in the west. Jackson believed in the ability of the “common man” to participate in government. He made use of the spoils system to reward his supporters. Jacksonian Democracy believed in equal opportunity extended to white males. The attitude towards women, children, Blacks, and Indians were typical of the time. Jacksonian Democracy also believed in the supremacy of the power of the national government over states’ rights advocates.
Promote a society based on economic success rather than one's social class by birth
While Jefferson considered himself as part of the “natural aristocrats, Jacksonian Democracy can be considered an outgrowth of Jefferson’s ideas that the people should rule. The Jacksonian Democratic movement was also the consequence of the growth and energy of the nation during the 1830s and 1840s. Prosperity meant more people could consider politics. Politicians and participation in politics grew. There was an increase in education available to citizens and the right to vote was being extended, especially in the west. Jackson believed in the ability of the “common man” to participate in government. He made use of the spoils system to reward his supporters. Jacksonian Democracy believed in equal opportunity extended to white males. The attitude towards women, children, Blacks, and Indians were typical of the time. Jacksonian Democracy also believed in the supremacy of the power of the national government over states’ rights advocates.
While Jefferson considered himself as part of the “natural aristocrats, Jacksonian Democracy can be considered an outgrowth of Jefferson’s ideas that the people should rule. The Jacksonian Democratic movement was also the consequence of the growth and energy of the nation during the 1830s and 1840s. Prosperity meant more people could consider politics. Politicians and participation in politics grew. There was an increase in education available to citizens and the right to vote was being extended, especially in the west. Jackson believed in the ability of the “common man” to participate in government. He made use of the spoils system to reward his supporters. Jacksonian Democracy believed in equal opportunity extended to white males. The attitude towards women, children, Blacks, and Indians were typical of the time. Jacksonian Democracy also believed in the supremacy of the power of the national government over states’ rights advocates.
The new Jacksonian era is characterized by a resurgence of populism, emphasizing the voice and power of the common people against elite interests. It reflects a strong focus on nationalism, with an emphasis on American identity and values. Additionally, this era is marked by a significant shift in political dynamics, including the rise of grassroots movements and an increase in political engagement through social media and digital platforms. Economic inequality and social justice issues are also prominent themes, echoing the concerns of the original Jacksonian era.
While Jefferson considered himself as part of the “natural aristocrats, Jacksonian Democracy can be considered an outgrowth of Jefferson’s ideas that the people should rule. The Jacksonian Democratic movement was also the consequence of the growth and energy of the nation during the 1830s and 1840s. Prosperity meant more people could consider politics. Politicians and participation in politics grew. There was an increase in education available to citizens and the right to vote was being extended, especially in the west. Jackson believed in the ability of the “common man” to participate in government. He made use of the spoils system to reward his supporters. Jacksonian Democracy believed in equal opportunity extended to white males. The attitude towards women, children, Blacks, and Indians were typical of the time. Jacksonian Democracy also believed in the supremacy of the power of the national government over states’ rights advocates.
The second main goal that Jacksonian democracy upheld was to reduce the power and influence of the wealthy elites, particularly the bankers and land speculators. Jackson sought to level the playing field and create a more egalitarian society by advocating for policies such as limiting the power of banks, expanding the suffrage to include more white men, and promoting policies that favored the common people over the wealthy.
Jacksonian Democracy refers to the political philosophy of United States President Andrew Jackson and his supporters. Jackson's policies followed in the footsteps of Thomas Jefferson. Jackson's Democratic Party was resisted by the rival Whig Party. More broadly, the term refers to the period of the Second Party System (1824-1854) when Jacksonian philosophy was ascendant as well as the spirit of that era. It can be contrasted with the characteristics of Jeffersonian democracy, which dominated the previous political era. The Jacksonian era saw a great increase of respect and power for the common man, as the electorate expanded to include all white male adult citizens, rather than only land owners in that group. In contrast to the Jeffersonian era, Jacksonian democracy promoted the strength of the executive branch and the Presidency at the expense of Congressional power, while also seeking to broaden the public's participation in government. Jacksonians believed in enfranchising all white men, rather than just the propertied class, and supported the patronage system that enabled politicians to appoint their supporters into administrative offices, arguing it would reduce the power of elites and prevent aristocracies from emerging. They demanded elected (not appointed) judges and rewrote many state constitutions to reflect the new values. In national terms the Jacksonians favored geographical expansion, justifying it in terms of Manifest Destiny. There was usually a consensus among both Jacksonians and Whigs that battles over slavery should be avoided. The Jacksonian Era lasted roughly from Jackson's 1828 election until the slavery issue became dominant after 1850 and the American Civil War dramatically reshaped American politics as the Third Party System emerged.
Jeffersonian democracy emphasizes a more agrarian society, individual liberty, and a limited federal government, rooted in the belief that the common man should have a voice in governance. In contrast, Jacksonian democracy champions the expansion of suffrage to all white males, a stronger executive branch, and a populist approach that seeks to represent the interests of the "common people" against established elites. While both movements aimed to increase democratic participation, Jefferson focused on educated citizenry and a decentralized government, while Jackson prioritized broader political access and direct appeal to the masses.
The dramatic increase in the number of voters during the early 1800s was primarily due to the expansion of suffrage, as many states began to reduce or eliminate property ownership requirements for voting. The rise of Jacksonian democracy emphasized greater political participation for the "common man," encouraging more citizens to engage in the electoral process. Additionally, population growth and westward expansion contributed to a more diverse electorate, leading to increased voter registration and turnout.