The Jacksonian Period from 1824 to 1848

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The Jacksonian Period from 1824 to 1848 has been characterized as the era of the “common man.” Jackson’s election to presidency was based on the fact that he himself did not come from a wealthy background so in return, during his presidency he openly advocated for the rights of the “common man”. Although the era did not always stay true to its name, both economic aspects and reform movements caused the Jacksonian period to mostly live up to its characterization as "the era of the common man.”
To begin with, in order to fully comprehend the question being asked one must have an understanding of Jacksonian principles as well as who Andrew Jackson was. Jacksonian Democracy is defined as "the political movement toward greater democracy for the common man." In and of itself the definition applies to "the common man" so from the start there is a principle that Jackson will promote as president that lives up to the period's characterization. Jackson was born in 1767 in Waxhaw, South Carolina, to Scotch-Irish immigrants. Andrew Jackson as a man was a military leader who led the Americans to victory in the battle of New Orleans and was later elected president in 1828. With this key victory Jackson was viewed not only as a leader but as a hero by his nation. History has seen this occur in the past with the election of the first president of the United States, George Washington whop was also a great military leader viewed as a hero due to significant victories in the "first" American Revolution. "In a confused, four-candidate presidential race in 1824, Jackson led the popular and electoral vote but lost in the House of Representatives to John Quincy Adams through the influence of Speaker Henry Clay. Jackson challenged Adams again in 1828 ...

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...intolerance over the immorality of slavery. A movement to treat the insane humanely was taken up by reformer Dorothea Dix. She believed the insane deserved better treatment as they were not criminals, they were simply ill. Other reformers, such as Horace Mann sought to equalize the social classes by providing free and better education for the poor (a public education system). This cause was instrumental in sparking the flame of education which would spread though the Untied States like wildfire. Desiring equality with men, women took advantage of this spirit of reform and proceeded with the Seneca Fall Convention in New York, 1848. Drafting a document similar to the Declaration of Independence, women sought equality in all aspects of life. These and other reforms in the 1840s were a direct result of the Jacksonian ideal which “celebrated the era of the common man”.

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