Significance Of Jackson’s Election To Thepresidency In 1828 Essay, Research Paper

The Significance of Jackson’s Election to the

Presidency in 1828

Andrew Jackson’s election to the Presidency in 1828 marked a significant change in

Americas attitude toward politics and toward the nations course. Before 1828, America

was led mainly by a class of men that haled from the upper edge of society. This was

mainly because only men of stature that had met the requirements of property ownership

and religious background set forth by the states could vote in any election. But in recent

times, states had repealed these requirements, allowing universal white male suffrage.

This meant that for the first time, the common man could make his voice heard regarding

the outcome of political condition that our nation was in. Jackson embodied a “new”

democracy, which had come into fashion in the last few years since the rise of universal

white male suffrage.

This “new” democracy was one for the common man. A true democracy, of the people

and for the people, was the basis for Jackson campaigning throughout much of his career.

In fact, Jackson was more like the “common man” than any other president. He was born

in the West and claimed his heritage to be less “noble” than his counterparts, but still

solidly American. The concept of a government for the common man was at the forefront

of the election in 1828, second only perhaps to the issue of the National Bank, which

Jackson opposed.

Jackson’s election also marked the rise of the Democratic party to a new level. Excellently

organized and in tune with popular desires, the Democrats swept the election of 1828.

The Democrats capitalized on the nations hopes for a more public form of government.

The caucuses that had ruled the presidential elections in the years before, were being

replaced by new National Conventions, which allowed the average person to take an even

more active role in the election of their president. However, the Democrats had based

their party on the idea of common government, but they had never formally stated a

position on many of the topics which quickly came to reality after the elections. Jackson

himself was often vague or even silent regarding certain issues. This lack of leadership

made the Democratic party less stable than it could have been. This did not however,

keep Jackson from being a president of great stature.

Jackson maintained his popularity throughout his two terms in office, mostly because the

majority of the population still favored the idea of a “truly democratic” government, which

Jackson was smart enough to cling to. Jackson did make what could be called an attempt

at this “people’s government.” Soon after his election, he made frequent use of the

“spoils” system. That is, he replaced many officials from preceding administrations with

people that had supported him. Although this was for the most part politics as usual, to

the average man, the sudden change in personnel, made it appear as though Jackson were

cleaning out the aristocrats and replacing them with men of everyday stature. Jackson

most often supported a strict construction of the Constitution. To many, Jackson betrayed

his common man when he repeatedly sided against states rights and for the Union as a

whole, over all else. He responded to South Carolina’s complaints about import tariffs

stating that “The wisdom of man never yet contrived a system of taxation that operates

with perfect equality.” He even threatened to send troops into South Carolina if they

carried through on their promises to nullify acts of congress. Then in a turnabout move,

Jackson returned to his Democratic ways and came through on what was one of the only

issues on which he had a firm position, the National Bank. In 1832, near the end of his

first term, Jackson vetoed the bill that would extend the charter of the national Bank.

Jackson cited that the National Bank was subject to foreign and aristocratic intentions,

rather than the interest of the Nation as a whole, common man included. Once again

Jackson played the card of the average man’s interest in his political foray, which led to his

reelection in 1832.

Jackson’s impact in his personification of the American wish for a more personal, public

form of government, lasted for decades. His election set a precedent in the way that

politicians viewed their constituent. The y viewed them not as a wealthy few to be

pampered, but a hard working multitude of voters, eager for a voice in politics.