Jacksonian Democracy and the "Common Man"

Jacksonian politics of the first half of the nineteenth century became a battle for the common man. For the first time in American history voting rights extended to most all white males; rather than relegated to wealthy aristocrats. Political philosophy, and principles, gave way to prudent manipulation of public opinion. Jackson's heavy-handed use of mass opinion symbolized the new era of political combat, and was to forever change American perceptions concerning the social contract.

Jacksonian philosophy sought to pit the newly franchised masses against the economic might of the North. Politics now threatened to shake the establishment to its core. This is seen in Jackson's frontal assault upon northeastern industry and the central banking system. Graebner and Richards in The American Record best sum up Jacksonian democracy, "Jackson's first target was the entrenched office holders in the federal government" (218). Public opinion now dictated...
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