The Age of Jackson: Policies, Reform, and American Change

Introduction: A New Era of American Democracy

The period from 1820 to 1850 is widely regarded as one of major transformation in American history. We often call this era the Age of Jackson, since Andrew Jackson had a profound influence on the politics, economy, and social fabric of the nation. Andrew Jackson's election to the U.S. presidency in 1828 signaled to the masses that change was coming. Beyond the new president's innovative ideas, the general public also began expressing genuine interest in contributing to the reform sweeping the country. The effective system of checks and balances would grow more complex, as it came to involve new strategies meant to ensure that all major players in the country would actively participate in supporting a democratic government. Even though Jackson was deeply interested in strengthening the image of his party — the Democrats — he also introduced new ways of thinking about the importance of financial and intellectual progress across the nation.

One of the most surprising things about Jackson is that he was a passionate supporter of economic equality and social mobility. He and his close advisors had largely achieved success through their own talents and hard work, which led them to believe they were fundamentally different from the inherited Eastern aristocracy. Jackson and people like him were generally unwilling to allow Eastern elites to control national affairs and prevent ordinary citizens from sharing in the country's prosperity. His main goal was to guarantee that other Americans had the same opportunity to build wealth through their own efforts.

Jackson's Character and Democratic Appeal

The seventh president of the United States was a remarkable individual, and his background played an essential role in persuading ordinary citizens to vote for him. Jackson's character is defined by his toughness and his determination to assert himself when the situation demanded it. He was particularly compelling as a presidential candidate because he chose to do things differently: he was actively engaged in his own campaign, which allowed people who interacted with him to feel that he genuinely wanted to help the country rather than pursue his own personal interests.

His democratic appeal was rooted in the belief that ordinary Americans deserved the same opportunities as the privileged few. As his supporters declared, "Once again, the forces of privilege had been driven from Washington. Once again, a champion of democracy would occupy the White House and restore liberty to the people and to the economy. America had entered, some Jacksonians claimed, a new era of democracy, the 'age of the common man'" (231). This rhetoric resonated deeply with voters who had long felt excluded from political and economic power.

Economic Growth and the Industrial Revolution

Industries across the United States experienced considerable progress throughout the early nineteenth century, and it became clear that meaningful reform was on the horizon. Even so, most economies remained local during this period, as the majority of Americans were still engaged in farming and local trade.

Conditions changed significantly by the second half of the nineteenth century as individuals gained a better understanding of the role they could play in the nation's progress and recognized that they could take advantage of new opportunities. As one account notes, "Most farmers were still rural people, but even most American farmers were now part of a national, and increasingly international, market economy" (261). The United States had advanced considerably and began to compete with some of the most industrialized countries in the world. It was at this point that it became clear something fundamental had shifted — Americans were no longer newcomers to industry and commerce.

The industrial revolution had fully reached the United States, and its results became visible during the second half of the nineteenth century. It is difficult to determine the precise role Andrew Jackson played in this transformation, but it is nonetheless significant that his political philosophy encouraged many Americans to participate in advancing the nation. Jackson sought to inspire individuals from lower economic classes to believe that their success was not only possible but natural — that they could rise alongside the upper classes as the country moved forward.