1. The Age of Andrew Jackson

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

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

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

5. 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

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

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

8. 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

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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 2-Party System
Presidential elections scaled up to reach all the voters nationwide
Candidates needed support and organization from large political parties

14. 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

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

16. 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”

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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.