23F. Jacksonian Democracy and Modern America

The 1828 presidential election marked a transformative moment in U.S. politics, with Andrew Jackson winning a landslide victory and voter participation soaring to an unprecedented 60%, doubling the turnout of 1824. Jackson campaigned as a "champion of the common man," warning of corruption by "special privilege," particularly policies associated with the Second Bank of the United States. His campaign emphasized majority rule and his life story of rising from humble beginnings to prominence as a military hero, including his victory in the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812.

Jackson's presidency ushered in a new era, as he was the first president from the western United States, breaking the Virginia-Massachusetts dominance. His election symbolized a shift toward prioritizing the interests of ordinary Americans over economic elites. The Jacksonian movement's longevity was demonstrated by Martin Van Buren's election, reflecting its deep influence on the new Democratic Party.

Jacksonian Democracy revolved around three main principles: representing ordinary farmers and workers, opposing economic elites' special privileges, and promoting westward expansion by displacing Native Americans. This led to policies such as the forced removal of Native tribes to the Oklahoma Territory. The opposing Whig Party emerged, favoring government-supported economic development, creating a political rivalry centered on the implications of the Industrial Revolution. This Second Party System brought modern political organization and mass participation.

Jackson's presidency also reflected the complexities of American society. While Jacksonian Democracy advanced egalitarian principles, they were largely confined to white men, perpetuating racial prejudice and masculine privilege. This paradox highlights the tensions in American ideals, where democratic progress was intertwined with exclusion and inequality. The era’s legacy underscores the need to confront and overcome these limitations in the nation’s ongoing development.