Jacksonian Democracy
The Age of Jackson
Why did Jackson win the Election of 1828?
Built a strong national/local party organization
A national hero- “Old Hickory”
Pictured as champion of “common man”- Adams the enemy
Received votes from “common folk” (city workers,
frontiersman, small farmers), as well as small businessmen,
Southern planters (Jackson was a slaveholder)
 Made possible by thousands now able to vote after property
qualification dropped in the 1820’s





“The Revolution of 1828”
Why was the Election of 1828 called the “Revolution
of 1828”?
 More democratic approach to government- introduced “spoils system”





and “rotation in office”
First president born of immigrant parents/born into poverty
First president from a western state- victory for “common man”
Political shift from East to new states of the West
President a representative of all the people- directly responsible to the
people
Democracy should represent the will of all of the people- saw himself as
its “champion”
Jefferson and Jackson Compared
Jefferson
 Government should be in the




hands of experienced, educated
leaders
Central government should be
weak. “That government is best
which governs least”
A weak central government will
protect the country from the evil
effects of minority rule
Concentration of power in any
single branch is dangerous.
Separation of powers needed.
Farmer backbone of the nation.
City workers can not be fully
trusted since they can be swayed by
city politicians.
Jackson
 All citizens are fit for office,




regardless of background
Central government should be
strong. Business should be
controlled if necessary.
A strong central government will
make it possible to check the
powers of the favored few.
The executive branch of the
government should provide
leadership for the nation. The
President is the representative of
all the people.
The common man is the backbone
of the nation. City worker, farmer,
and small businessman can be
trusted to assume responsibility for
the general welfare of the nation.