Andrew Jackson Dbq Analysis

Andrew Jackson, who characterized the Jacksonian Era, was known widely as a “common man.” He resembled the people who were the majority of nation, which explains why he was admired by them. He also believed in benefiting the whole nation, and not one specific group of people. After the War of 1812, he was known as a hero and later developed his political career. He was determined to develop the nation, and create social equality, Jackson made changes to the country’s economy and politics. He was the symbol for the Democratic Party. Some changes produced negative outcomes, but Jackson’s alterations supported the lower and unprivileged people of the nation. Andrew Jackson defined the era. Economic and political developments defined by Jackson,

and his involvement with the Democratic party lived up to the period’s characterization as the era of the “common man” despite some negative outcomes.
Jackson’s decision to take away the national bank was intended to take away power from the aristocrats. The national bank was run by the elite, and Jackson saw how the bank was not benefiting the lower classes of society. The lower classes also despised the bank, not only Jackson. He implemented pet banks to support democracy, but the common man as well. The creation of pet banks or state banks, showed the nation that Jackson wasn’t going let the aristocrats possess power. The decision to get rid of the bank made Jackson favored by the people, people who weren’t given as many advantages as those higher than them. The House Ways and Means Committee reported, “... in the two short intervals during which no national banks existed, public and private credit were greatly impaired…”(Doc 1). The Committee is saying the destruction of the bank led to an economic crisis and impaired the nation. They say that when the bank existed, public and private credit was stable, until Jackson interfered. Yes, Jackson’s decision to take down the bank did lead to an economic crisis or the Panic of 1837, but his decision represented the proletarian people. Jackson’s actions didn’t show support for business owners, manufacturers, and other wealthy people, but support for those who resembled him.Document 4 is a painting of Jackson resembling a King. In the drawing, he is standing on the Constitution. This image of him standing on the Constitution symbolizes he doesn't care about what it has to say about the national bank. He believed the bank is evil and even though he had to defy the Constitution, taking down the bank supported the lower classes of the nation. He ignored the outcry in Congress because he believed in the “common man” more than anything. Jackson’s destruction of the national bank characterized this period as the “common man” era.
The creation of new political parties allowed more opinions to be voices, such as those a part of the democratic party. It allowed the ideals of the “common man” to shine through after many years of inferiority pushing them away from voicing their opinions. Before elections, citizens would divide up into several camps or new political parties (Doc 7). These new political parties welcomed more and more people to access the government. Before these parties, aristocrats were usually the only people who had their voices heard. Andrew Jackson believed in the formation of new parties because they would aid the people of the nation he cared about the most. During his veto message on July 10th 1832, Jackson talks about how the rich and powerful only benefit themselves when they bend the acts of the government (Doc 2). The reason why he says this in Document two is because the lower classes should have chances to fight for their rights, and have an insight of the government. Too often, the voices of the elite are brought forward and listened to. Jackson believes that the lower classes deserve to have an opinion towards the injustice of the law. The creation of new political parties supports what Jackson was saying, the voices of those facing injustice should be heard. The new political party system allows the lower classes to have these opportunities to speak what they feel. The lower classes could finally fight for a chance to be deemed equal to the elite.
The Democratic Party, symbolized by Jackson and his supporters, believes in social equality, and the formation of it allowed the ordinary man to feel a part of the nation.

The formation of this party greatly characterized this time period as the "common man" era. The main purpose of the party was to create social equality. It's purpose supported everyone, not only the elite. The Democratic Party, founded by Andrew Jackson, led to a chain of other political developments. A Democratic convention was called to nominate those for offices. It gathered delegates from all the states to come to nomination decisions. In Document 9, Frederick A. discusses how this convention "concentrated the opinion of all states." This convention links to the purpose of the Democratic Party. The delegates not only discuss their opinions, but the opinions of the people of their state. Through the delegates the ideals and opinions of the "common man" are said at the convention. As Frederick says, the convention takes different sections of the nation into consideration, consideration of different people besides the elite. The enemies of the Democratic Party weren't allowed to make decisions by

themselves.
The beliefs and establishment of the Democratic Party allowed the "common man" to be equal to the elite through two political changes. The need for social equality throughout the nation complements the decision to allow any to be president. Jackson's message to the Congress talks about how the nation created offices to benefit the people. If the offices are used to benefit people, than anyone has the right to hold office (Doc 8). “Offices were not established to give support to particular men at the public expense,” (Doc 8). Jackson is telling the Congress that all men should benefit from the office. In order to do so anyone, who is white, should be able to hold office so their is equality and fairness. If the elite are only allowed to hold office they will repeatedly make decisions to benefit their own kind, not the whole nation. This change made by Jackson allows the "common man" to be equal with the elite. They are now given the same opportunities the elite are given. During the 1820's, white male suffrage was another instance of the "common man" being equal to the elite. The amount of property owned or status in society didn't determine if a white male could vote anymore. All white men were allowed to have access to the government by casting a vote once white male suffrage was created. Voter participation increased soon election by election after all white males were allowed to cast a vote. More participation occurred because elite weren't allowed to vote. The lower classes were finally given a chance to have a say in who their leader should be. The year Jackson was elected, 1828, voter participation increased by thirty-one percent since the last election (Doc 6). Jackson was the symbol of the "ordinary people," and these people were finally given a chance to choose the leader they wanted, Jackson. Jackson, who founded the Democratic Party, made these events capable of happening.
Jackson’s economical and political changes characterized the period (1824-1841) as “common man” era.

Some groups of society, such as the Native Americans, weren’t a part of this era (Doc 5). The Removal Act and trail of tears supported how they were not benefited or a part of this era. Regardless of some people being left out during this era, the changes did benefit many others. The changes to voting and nomination allowed lower classes and aristocrats to be equal for once. The Two party system allowed more opinions and ideals of many commoners to be voiced. The destruction of the bank allowed the power of aristocrats to lessen. Even though there were negative outcomes to some changes, such as the Panic of 1837, and many people weren’t represented during this period, many lower class people benefited during this time period. The economical and political changes that benefited them characterized this time period as the “common man” era and initiated events that could later be used in different contexts to produce equality throughout the whole

nation.