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Jacksonian Democracy Dbq

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The Jacksonian Democracy was a time in American history that lasted from Andrew Jackson’s presidency in 1828, until around the 1840s. The lasting effects of this time period would extend well past this time frame. The policies put into place during this era covered the expansion of voting rights and the expansion of our nation’s borders, but also put into place a spoils system. Perhaps the largest policy of the Jacksonian Democracy was the expansion of voting rights to all white men over a period of time. This was set into place to reflect Andrew Jackson’s belief of including the common (white) man in the democratic process. This was completely against what the founding fathers had set in place, a complex electoral process that would …show more content…
Under President Polk, the United States annexed Texas in 1845, signed a treaty with Britain in 1846 to split the Oregon territory, and also fought a war with Mexico in the same year in order to claim California. This expansion would provide the country with many new resources, including gold, but would have negative impacts on Native Americans, who were forced to relocate. The Indian Removal Act of 1830 would remove all Indian Tribes west of the Mississippi River. The goal was to move Indians into the state of Oklahoma. In Andrew Jackson on Native Americans, Second Annual Message, Andrew Jackson would defend his policy of Indian removal. He would go on to explain the precautions set in place, and how easy the removal of the Native Americans would be on everyone, but the trail of tears the Indians would endure was much different. Many Native Americans would die along this trail as they were forced further and further west. The removal of the Indians would open up large tracts of settlement for white men, and they would be able to purchase large amounts of land for a small amount of …show more content…
This courtesy would only be extended to white men at the time as women and African Americans were excluded. The country would dramatically increase in size, allowing for westward expansion, but severely harming Native Americans as they were pushed further and further west. Many new people would also be introduced to government position under the spoils system, introducing a new reward system for the victors of elections. The country was on its way to the political system we enjoy today, with everyone included, but would leave the Native Americans behind as they were forced

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