Jacksonian democracy

Jacksonian democracy is the term used in American politics to describe the period when the "common man" participated in the government, occurring after Jeffersonian democracy.

Related Topics:
American - Jeffersonian democracy

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Andrew Jackson, who was elected in 1828, was the first president even partially elected by the common citizenry, as the 1824 United States Presidential election was the first in which free white men without property could vote (notwithstanding this, one quarter of the participating states had their electors chosen by their State Legislatures). In addition, some political parties began holding public nominating convention-meetings to select a party's presidential and vice presidential candidates, allowing more voter input.

Related Topics:
Andrew Jackson - 1828 - 1824 United States Presidential election - Electors

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jackson, a war hero who had fought alongside trappers and traders in the War of 1812, was someone with whom the common man could identify. He commonly discussed politics in his parlor with other men while smoking cigars, in contrast to the more formal meetings common to Jeffersonian Democracy. As a result of this informal attitude to politics, he was sometimes advised by a group of old friends, known as his "kitchen cabinet".

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The faction of the United States Democratic-Republican Party that solidly followed Andrew Jackson were sometimes referred to as Jacksonian or Jacksonian Democrats. The political party that arose in opposition to his policies were known as "National Republicans" this group later changed its name to the Whig party.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jacksonian policies included ending the bank of the United States, westward expansion, removal of American Indians from the southeast. Jackson was denounced as a tyrant by opponents on both ends of the political spectrum such as Henry Clay and John Calhoun. Jacksonian Democracy had a lasting impact on allowing for more political participation from the average citizen, though Jacksonian democracy itself largely died off with the election of Abraham Lincoln and the rise of the Republican party.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jacksonian democracy is also known for its economic drops due to unsound descisions made by Andrew Jackson himself.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~