The Common Man

The Jacksonian Era from mid to late 1800's was known as the era of "the common man." Jackson tried to incorporate all the classes of America into his political and economical system. In some ways he succeeded in doing so, whereas in others he wasn't as successful. In Jackson's political and economic development he held mostly true to the characteristics of "the common man" theme.

In the political aspect Jackson did well in keeping his citizens satisfied but he did have a few mistakes. The first great thing Jackson did right off was expanding the amount of people that could qualify to vote. He made it so any white male, whether or not they owned property, could vote on elections, and he gave all voters the right to hold public office. Although Jackson tried to please the citizens, he could not please everyone. There in the towns grew a Political faction led by Martin Van Buren. This group challenged the establishment of political leadership. Another group aroused called the Whigs, who were the anti- Jackson forces. The Whigs favored expanding the power of the federal government, encouraging industrial and commercial development and bringing the country closer together into a consolidated economic system. But, the ones that agreed with Jackson were the democrats, who believed that the role of government should be limited and defending the union. Jackson fell in the category of a democrat, by having less government and letting the "common people" decided what to do.

Another way Jackson continued his idea of the era of "the common man" was through the economic development. He didn't have a great start with the "Tariff of Abomination." South Carolina's thought the tariff was responsible for their staggering economy and were so upset by it they were ready to take drastic measures, secession. Jackson quickly calmed them down with the Theory of Nullification which he believed a more moderate solution than secession. Jackson argued that the federal government was a creation of the states, the states being the final arbiters of the constitution of federal laws. In that Theory of Nullification, Jackson showed that the "common man" also has a right and a role in the government. Another example of how Jackson is for the "common man" is by the "pet banks." Jackson thought the normal bank as a "monster bank" so he withdrew all of the governments deposits and placed them in a bunch of small banks throughout the country, creating the government money to possible get stretched out to thin thought the treasury Roger Taney. Through Jackson's era he did help the economy also by the "penny press." This new idea was very popular for campaigns; it carried news to a large audience or traders and workers, including them in the politics even when at work.

Overall Jackson did a pretty good job at including "the