The Age of Andrew Jackson 1824-1844

The Age of the Common Man The 1820s Time of popular politics Also called the Era of Jacksonian Democracy son

Was Andrew Jackson: A major molder of events? A political opportunist exploiting the democratic ferment of the times? A symbol of the era?

Jacksonian Democracy The rise of a democratic society: American attitudes were viewed as democratic American manners were informal

Under the American Plan Hotels: Men and women of all classes ate together ate common tables Stagecoaches, steamboats, and later railroad cars held only one class of passengers European visitors could not distinguish between classes in the United States

Under the American Plan Society Men of all backgrounds wore simple dark trousers and jackets Equality becoming the governing principle of American society

Under the American Plan Common American belief: Equality of opportunity for white males Hero of this time: “self-made man”

Democracy was no longer limited to the elite Universal Male Suffrage Newly admitted western states (Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri) allowed all white males to vote and hold office no more religious or property requirements to vote Eastern states would soon follow suit

Democracy expanding Change in Voting Numbers: 1824 voting 350,000 1840 voting 2.4 million 7x increase over 16 years

Party Nominating Conventions Previous nominations done by state legislatures or “King Caucus” (a closed door meeting of a political party’s leaders in Congress) Common citizens could not participate

Party Nominating Conventions 1830s caucuses replaced by nominating conventions Politicians and voters would meet to nominate the party’s candidate This method allowed more people to participate, becoming more democratic

Popular Election of the President 1832 Presidential election Only South Carolina used the old system (state legislature chose electors for president) All other states had voters select state’s presidential electors

2-Party System Presidential elections scaled up to reach all the voters nationwide Candidates needed support and organization from large political parties

Rise of Third Parties Only large national parties could win a presidency, other local parties emerged Anti-masonic party- attacked secret societies as anti- democratic privileged elites Workingmen’s party

More Elected Offices More states  more state and local officials elected (instead of being appointed) Greater voter voice  increased participation

Popular Campaigning Candidates aimed messages toward the interests of the common people Politics became a form of local entertainment Marching bands Parades Large rallies (free food and drink) Campaigns resorted to personal attacks and ignored issues Popular attack “aristocratic airs” not a “common man”

Spoils System President Jackson believed in appointing people to federal jobs (i.e. Postmaster) based on their campaign activity for the Democratic Party Called Spoils System because the winner took all

Rotation of Officeholders Jackson believed in a system of rotation in office Limited person to one term Replace with someone else deserving Both ideas led to a more democratic participation in government

Short Answers (Question 3 on page 206) a. Briefly explain which ONE of the following best supports this statement: “The duties of all public officers are … so plain and simple that more is lost by the long continuance of men in office than is generally to be gained by their experience.” Political party conventions Rotation in office Spoils system b. Contrast your choice against ONE of the other options demonstrating why that option is not as good as your choice.