Jacksonian Democracy Apush Essay Example

presidency by which the people will rule.

The Jacksonian Democracy also called the “New Democracy” was based on universial white manhood suffrage rather then the old property qualifications This change was for the improving rights and laws of the people. During the Jacksonian era, white male suffrage was dramatically expanded throughout the country. The rise of universal manhood suffrage and the abolishment of landholding qualifications for office holding shifted the political power from the hands of the elite to the hands of the common citizen. Which is a key idea in Jacksonian Democracy.

As stated by the Historian Arthur Schlesinger, Jacksonian democracy was a class conflict instead of a sectional conflict between the lower and middle classes and the business communities. The state of Vermont was the first to place a ballot in the hands of all adult white males. This trend continued into the west where land was so easily obtained as to render meaningless the old property qualifications. Property tests for office holding were also being widely abolished and judges and office positions were now being popularly elected by the people. Or/both

He believed that anyone should be able to hold office, no matter his presidential qualifications. The notion, that the aristocratic voice was not the only one to be heard during this Revolution, fabricated a substantial rise toward democracy. As a result of Jackson’s political views, the process of voting changed in favor of the common man, which greatly contributed to the new democracy. The unequal and unjust property qualifications for voting had been abolished during the Jacksonian Revolution. Voting was now based on universal white manhood suffrage.

Though there are still flaws in this system,

leaving out women and blacks in the voting process, it was still a large contribution for democracy. The people were even choosing the Electoral College during this movement toward political equality. A more democratic way of voting was introduced through the National Nominating Convention. The convention consisted of a larger participation in presidential nomination. With the considerable amount of voting powers vested within the common people, America was becoming even more democratic.

Conclusion The Jacksonian democrats portrayed themselves as saviors of the common people and ruled via a powerful executive who attempted to destroy aristocracy in America. Jacksonian democrats were above all outstanding propagandists. They were able to portray themselves as defenders of the common man. Jacksonians strived to preserve the unifying principles that the Constitution contained, and did allow more people to vote than ever before and made government more directly responsible to the people.

Overall, Jacksonians honestly attempted to help common Americans. Or/both Overall, the Jacksonian democracy had in several ways commenced the ways of a democratic government. Jackson’s feelings toward common men taking a major role in the government initiated the idea of a democratic government. Branching off from these beliefs, universal white manhood suffrage led to the voice of the common man in politics, thus beginning to shift toward a government by the people