AP U.S. HISTORY
THE AGE OF JACKSON
JACKSONIAN DEMOCRACY
The second quarter of the 19th century was “the age of the common man,” characterized by the spread and growth of democratic ideas. The following reforms were adopted:
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Democratic IdeaReform
Extension of Property and religious qualifications gradually abolished;
Suffrageuniversalwhite male suffrage implemented
National Until 1838, congressional caucuses or state legislatures selected
Nominating the Presidential candidates. In 1832, a national convention,
Conventionsattended by state delegates, was used.
Presidential Electors were chosen by popular vote rather than state
Electorslegislatures.
Spoils systemPatronage – repayment of political debts by appointing of
“friends” to office
Rotation inAny man could perform a government job – puts more
Office“common men” in office
Increase inGovernor’s position made an elective one in many states.
number ofOther officials elected instead of appointed, making wider
elected officialsdistribution of jobs possible.
Influence ofNew city voters, growth of trade unions.
Working Class
Presidential powersMore use of the veto power; assertion of the executive power;
strong use of executive influence (bank, tariff)
Social movementsTemperance movement against alcohol; Dorothea Dix and
movement to help the lot of the mentally ill; Horace Mann at forefront of movement for free, compulsory public school system; cheap, widely-distributed newspapers; feminist movement led by Lucretia Mott, Emma Willard; abolitionist crusade with black leaders Sojourner Truth, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman & white leaders William Lloyd Garrison & John Brown; slave revolt led by Nat Turner (1831); growth of national literature (Washington Irving, James Fennimore Cooper)
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CONTRAST BETWEEN JEFFERSONIAN & JACKSONIAN DEMOCRACY
Jeffersonian Democracy: Inactive government. “That government is best which governs least.” Advocated theories of democracy rather than its full practice. Simplicity in policies in government and in person. Government should be run by educated people. Favored states’ rights and the agricultural class. Strict construction of the Constitution. Moderate use of patronage and rotation in office. Hostile to monopolies.
Jacksonian Democracy: Government to be active with the President as the people’s representative and with a wide use of the veto power. Democracy in theory and in practice. Opposed to internal improvements. Believed that any citizen is fit for government office. Belief in states’ rights, BUT also in the preservation of the Union. Wide use of patronage and rotation in office. Hostile to monopolies.