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times, states had repealed these requirements, allowing universal white male suffrage.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