Premium Essay

The Jacksonian Era

Submitted By
Words 1333
Pages 6
Nicholas Badyna
Mr. Sandoe
AP U.S. History
12 November 2014
A New Age for the Common Man The United States, throughout its history, has always had a perceived reputation that anyone, regardless of their current financial standing, could thrive and achieve great prosperity through the many opportunities available to all of its inhabitants. However, this was not entirely true at least until the early 19th century in America, specifically from 1824-1848. This time period is better known as the Jacksonian Era because it marked a turning point for the so called “common man” economically, politically, socially, and religiously as a new age of thinking that accompanied the second great awakening completely revolutionized this epoch. Many economic …show more content…
It would make sense for another bridge to be built and that’s what happened when the U.S. government granted approval for another bridge to be built crossing the river, the Warren Bridge. This bridge would charge a small crossing fee at first but then would ultimately become free to use. For obvious reasons the Charles River Bridge Company (CRBC) was upset, and sued the state of Massachusetts by claiming it was in violation of the charter they mutually contracted in 1785. The CRBC argued that the charter gave them and only them the rights to control a bridge over the river. This case reached the Supreme Court where Chief Justice Roger B. Taney presided over the matter. Chief Justice Taney, who was a Jacksonian, stated that this charter simply allowed the CRBC to build a bridge but not to have exclusive rights to a bridge on this river. It can be assumed that Chief Justice Taney thought this was for two reasons. Firstly, he was a Jacksonian. A Jacksonian was characterized by his belief in free enterprise, so that anyone who wanted to risk going into business could do so. Secondly, Taney knew that if he were to say that this company was right he would be encouraging a monopoly which he saw as “contrary to English law and …show more content…
These were personal farms that men owned as part of their property. As the shift to a market based economy was made many men got jobs in factories, away from their homes. This left women to be the sole care taker of the house and children when the husband was gone. Some people argued that women would do best by focusing on simply the domestic side of life and not have to worry about the responsibilities of men. Yet others argued that men and women were basically equal and should be treated as such. This second way of thinking was in line with that of the Second Great Awakening. The Second Great Awakening focused heavily on the rights of the individual as well as religious

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Jacksonian Era Dbq

...The Jacksonian Era was a period that occurred in the early eighteenth century between 1820 and 1845. This was a time characterized by regional diversification and rapid growth, as it was almost the same time the Industrial Revolution took place. The elected president, Andrew Jackson, introduced new laws in his administration, such as the Indian Removal Act. The powers of a president were increased and this didn’t please the citizens who held the superior social class. During this era, there were heated debates about slavery and the mistreatment of thousands of American citizens. The Industrial Revolution began to set in and as a result, the masses moved toward the cities. The reason being is that people were attracted by mechanization...

Words: 306 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Jacksonian Era Dbq

...The Jacksonian Era was thought to be a time in which the U.S. was considered a democracy, but many of the things Andrew Jackson did would not reflect a democracy. President Andrew Jackson forcibly removed Indians from their land and put them in a totally unfamiliar land. As more states were admitted to the union the number of states with race exclusion was becoming closer to the number of admitted states. Jackson was accused of using a corrupt bargain to become president since he was friends with people from the house. Also Jackson hated the Banks of the United States, he thought it only helped the rich, and there was many associations formed, involving many people. The idea that the Jacksonian Era was the start of a democracy is contradictory...

Words: 904 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Jacksonian Era Research Paper

...The Jacksonian Era The Jacksonian Era is often described as a time when the United States experienced the “democratization of politics.” Jackson did like to get the people’s insight on his ideas but most of the time he went his own way and did things that upset the Americans. Although the Jacksonian Era showed signs of democratization of politics, democracy was not as relevant as you might think. There are several ways in which president Andrew Jackson was not “democratic”, including a Bank of the United States, American politics and society in general; and the most significant cause of Jackson’s undemocratic approach is the Indian Removal Act. The Bank of the United States was something that Andrew Jackson hated. Even though most of Jackson’s...

Words: 870 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Common Man In The Jacksonian Era

...The era of the “common man” refers to the openness of politics to all white male citizens, instead of the restricted few of elite property owners. The Jacksonian Period has lived up to its characterization of the “common man” through politics, reform movements, and economic development. Politics during the Jacksonian Period were widely extended, as new groups were given the right to vote. Before the 1820s, states secured electoral votes to white male property owners or taxpayers. When new states from the West joined the Union, adopted constitutions guaranteed that all adult white males were capable of voting and holding office. Though most state reforms were peaceful, the Rhode Island constitution prohibited more than half of adult males in...

Words: 327 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Andrew Jackson

...Andrew Jackson is noted for the creation of a whole new democratic era with in American history. Amongst his highly regarded accomplishments were arousing the "common man" to be intrigued by governmental affairs and effecting democracy to satisfy the same "common man’s” desire. Jackson could not make such foundational changes without he nations support. Jacksonian Democrats, as they progressively became know as, carried a significant number of fellowship during the 1820’s and 1830’s. They encouraged most of the issues that President Jackson saw importance in. Men of Jacksonian stature regarded themselves highly because they recognized and realized their responsibilities as American citizens and founders. They realized that their political leadership had a true divine purpose to enhance our nation as well to protect and serve the American people under the ideal of popular sovereignty. The Jacksonians condoned their self-view of one another in their genuine attempts to guard the United States Constitution. Such was done in two separate significant ways, one advocating equality of economic opportunity and advancing political democracy. A headlining characteristic of the Jacksonian Era was the support for equality of the common man. As the United States established its dominance in size and age, the stratification of society was assuring. In the 1820’s class division became a major dilemma due to an unchanging society. This greatly defaced the American ideal of equality and economic...

Words: 965 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Era Of The Common Man Essay

...The era of the “common man” is described as the era of prosperity and power of the American, every day people; which occurred before, during, and after Andrew Jackson’s presidency. This name suits the time period fairly well if one is to consider the economic development, changing politics, and various reform movements, that took place within 1824-1848 in a thriving American nation. It was not perfect, yet it was a time of various alteration. Nearing the end of John Quincy Adams’s presidency, the Tariff of 1828 severely crippled the Southern economy. This “tariff of abominations” earned Adams a bad reputation amongst the southerners. It allowed for the Northeast to prosper by protecting them from foreign competition, while the South was stuck...

Words: 986 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Evolution of Democracy

...Jefferson reduced National debts, as well as reduced the spending of his administration and the armed forces. When President Jackson entered office, things were noticeably different. Things such as his whole aura consisting of economic policy. He was the first president to pay off the Nation’s debt, which is a great accomplishment for him during his term. After the American Revolution was over Jefferson was still determined to preserve the liberties of the people. His goal was to create circumstances where the fight for those liberties could continue, if not the republic risked the chance of falling. Both presidents had their own beliefs when it came to the republic. President Jackson’s equal political policy was later known as the Jacksonian democracy, during his time period he promoted the strengths of branches as well as sought the participation of the public in government. The...

Words: 531 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

The Impact of Jacksonian Democracy

...The Impact of Jacksonian Democracy When Andrew Jackson was elected president in 1828, the Democratic Party began to shape a new era. Unlike many presidents before him, he appealed to the masses, or the “common man”. The mission of the Jacksonian Democrats was to amplify the strength of the poor, and decrease the influence and power of the wealthy. Economically, the Jacksonian Democrats benefitted because during this time, transportation was beginning to improve, and therefore commerce was boosted. However, President Jackson was forced to deal with the issue of the National Bank, which he believed held too much power and control over national economy. He also was forced to handle other important issues such as slavery, westward expansion, and sectionalism, and many people would come to dislike him for his opinion on these topics. For these reasons, Jacksonian Democracy impacted politics, national economy, and the status of the Union in both positive and negative ways. Previous to 1828, most of the men who held a high office were wealthy, aristocratic men who were brought up by established parents. These men were always educated, usually having completed college. Jackson was only the second president to take office without a college education, and this is one of the reasons why he appealed so much to all kinds of people, particularly the middle and lower classes. Jackson’s inauguration changed the way people looked at the government. People came from all around...

Words: 660 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Political Changes During The Jacksonian Period

...One may ask: what makes the Jacksonian Period so special? The answer was: it was first time the “common man” was celebrated rather than looked down upon. During this era, Andrew Jackson was one of the first presidents who advocated for the the masses. And education and women reforms helped the average person. The Jacksonian Period lives up to its characterization as the era of the “common man” due to the political changes and the reform movements during the time period. There were many political changes that worked in favor of the common man. Andrew Jackson was a spokesperson for the masses, and advocated for many reforms that would benefit the poorer farm owners rather than the rich aristocrats. Therefore, his election in 1828 showed...

Words: 411 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Cultural Shift in America

...Discuss the cultural shift in America during the Jacksonian era, including the rise of the middle class/"common man." What was Andrew Jackson's philosophy of government and how did this impact the office of the presidency. How would you describe the meaning of "Jacksonian Democracy," and Andrew Jackson's relationship to it? In addition to the class readings, please watch the posted video clip (The Presidents) on the course homepage and discuss it in your response. Question 2 Andrew Jackson left a permanent imprint upon American politics and the presidency. Within eight years, he melded the unstructured coalition of personal followers who had elected him into the country's most durable and successful political party, an electoral machine whose organization and discipline would serve as a model for all others. At the same time, his controversial conduct in office galvanized opponents to organize the Whig party. The Democratic Party was Jackson's child; the national two-party system was his legacy. Jackson's drive for party organization was spurred by his own difficulties with Congress. Unlike other famously strong Presidents, Jackson defined himself not by enacting a legislative program but by thwarting one. In eight years, Congress passed only one major law, the Indian Removal Act of 1830, at his behest. During this time Jackson vetoed twelve bills, more than his six predecessors combined. One of these was the first "pocket veto" in American history. Jackson strengthened...

Words: 866 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Jacksonian Age

...Abstract Jacksonian age is a time during which Andrew Jackson was the president of the United States of America. This was between the year 1829 and 1837. The reforms he did in his way of administration brought a change in the succeeding years, in America. This paper seeks to examine the widespread religious commotion of the Jacksonian age. Christian religion in Jacksonian era During this age, America was highly dominated by the ancient lines of the protestant doctrines and denominations. The state was in control of everything that happened in the church (Sellers 2006). However, when the church separated itself from the state, divisions emerged in the protestant denomination where every denomination considered themselves superior to the others. The Methodist, Presbyterians and the Baptists were the main denominations with Methodist being large in number. The difference between the denominations brought significance changes in the church. Revivalism spread all over America and was highly appreciated. Meetings held in camps were swept away; they no longer provided a social attraction as they did earlier. Instead, revival meetings took the centre stage. Prayers for salvation and faith were conducted in such gatherings, and many people were converted. Some revivalists from the Baptist denomination made it baptism a necessity for fulfillment of the conversion experience (Sellers 2006). Having been baptized the converts believed to have an...

Words: 494 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Democracy In The American Republic

...The American Republic throughout the years has gone through many changes that has made it into the democracy that it is today; this developed through President Jackson's service which was advanced through many causes leading to significant changes. The transition that was caused under President Jackson was one that caused the American Republic to evolve rapidly setting the course of modern democracy. There were some major changes within the government and within the culture that caused the changes that are seen in this era. The changes that occurred in the period caused significant long-lasting effects that played a critical role in our country's development. This was an important time within our country's history. The American Republic developed...

Words: 1024 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Jacksonian Democracy DBQ

...During the 1820’s and 1830’s the introduction of Jacksonian Democracy brought in new era in American history. Followers and supporters of Andrew Jackson viewed themselves as the moral guardians of the U.S. Constitution, political, democracy, individual liberty, and equality of economic opportunity. Their main focused were aimed at the common people and states’ rights. But didn’t tolerate foreign immigrants and the Indians. Jacksonian era fought for the common man. Many of the common (working class) people was very satisfied with Jackson’s attempts to protect their equality of economic opportunity from the wealth. He was true person to many of the common people mention in the “The Working Men’s Declaration of Independence”. The author claims that “all men are created that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights…” (Doc A). Working men viewed Jackson as a true representative to his ideals. There was a lot of support to Jackson as a true democrat for the common people. In 1837, Chief Justice Roger B. Taney, handpicked by Jackson, demonstrated that Jackson stayed true to his ideals. Such as the case of Charles River Bridge V. Warren Bridge of 1837 brought equality of economic opportunity (Doc H). The case involved a monopoly of the Charles River Bridge crossings resolved by a new enterprise and couldn’t be restrained by implied privileges under the old charter. As Taney’s stated, “While the rights of private property are sacredly guarded and not forget about...

Words: 910 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Jacksonian Democracy Dbq

...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...

Words: 728 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

The Jacksonian Period

...During the Jacksonian period many events took place that were advantageous to the common man. There is evidence of this in the political aspects, economic developments, and reform movements of the 1820s and 1840s. Up until the 1820s very few Americans had been allowed to vote, in order to qualify one had to be a white man that either owned land or payed taxes. In the years leading up to Andrew Jackson’s election things began to change. Ohio was the first state to expand suffrage to all white men. The recently added states in the West soon followed suit, causing many people in the East to want to move in order to have a say in who ran their country. This caused the older states to change their voting requirements as well because they were...

Words: 455 - Pages: 2