How American politics was changed by Andrew Jackson.
The first paragraph contains the essay instructions.
During the Jacksonian Period, American politics were altered. What were the most significant changes from previous policies? What were the long-term implications of the new political methodology? Were the long-term results beneficial or detrimental to the quality of government? Why? What was the role of Andrew Jackson in this process? As a milestone in the continuing democratization of the political process, how significant was this period?
And here is my answer.
As the Industrial revolution progressed in the Antebellum period, great changes were sweeping the nation. The Enlightenment had stressed human perfectibility and now the Second Great Awakening encouraged people to improve themselves and society. Many reform movements sprang up and met with varying degrees of success but one of the most significant and lasting changes occurred in politics and became known as the Jacksonian Period. Andrew Jackson’s presidency was a significant milestone in the continuing democratization of the political process. Jackson had a personal hand in some of the changes though it may be more accurate to say his policies were a product of the times. He set politics on a new course, propelled by the winds of change.
One of the most revolutionary and lasting changes was in the way presidential candidates ran their election campaign. As the states removed property requirements for voting, more power was passed to the poor who were previously excluded. At the same time the electorate was moving from the legislatures to the people. Andrew Jackson and the Nashville Junto took advantage of this in the election of 1824. Traditionally, candidates for the presidency used the support of a political base in Congress for their campaign. But Jackson, lacking political allies in Congress for his candidacy, went straight to the people. This strategy was successful in wining the popular vote over Adams by more than 30%. He also won the most electoral votes but fell short of the required majority of 131 and the House of Representatives put Adams in the Oval Office.
Over the next four years Jackson supporters redoubled their efforts to win votes as the people’s candidate. Voters were rallied with barbeques and parades while the political issues took a back seat to vicious attacks on the character of opposing candidates. The lively...