Jacksonian Democracy

Definition

Jacksonian Democracy refers to the political philosophy and policies championed by President Andrew Jackson and his supporters during the 1820s and 1830s. It emphasized the power of the common people and sought to limit the influence of the elite and privileged classes in American politics.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Jacksonian Democracy emphasized the power of the common people, as opposed to the elite and privileged classes.
2. The Spoils System, where political supporters were appointed to government positions, was a key feature of Jacksonian Democracy.
3. The Nullification Crisis, where South Carolina claimed the right to nullify federal laws, was a significant event during the Jacksonian era.
4. The Bank War, in which President Jackson fought against the renewal of the Second Bank of the United States' charter, was a major political battle.
5. Jacksonian Democracy led to the expansion of voting rights and the increased participation of the common people in the political process.

Review Questions

• Explain how the Spoils System was a key component of Jacksonian Democracy.
  • The Spoils System, where political supporters were appointed to government positions as a reward for their loyalty and campaign contributions, was a central feature of Jacksonian Democracy. This practice was seen as a way to empower the common people by giving them a greater voice in the political process and breaking the hold of the elite and privileged classes. The Spoils System also helped to build a loyal base of political supporters for the Democratic Party, which was the driving force behind Jacksonian Democracy.
• Describe the role of the Nullification Crisis in the context of Jacksonian Democracy.
  • The Nullification Crisis, where the state of South Carolina claimed the right to nullify federal laws, was a significant event during the Jacksonian era. Jacksonian Democracy emphasized the power of the states and the rights of the people, and the Nullification Crisis was seen as a defense of these principles against the perceived overreach of the federal government. The crisis highlighted the tension between the Jacksonian vision of a limited federal government and the growing power of the national institutions, and it ultimately contributed to the growing sectional divide that would lead to the Civil War.
• Analyze how the Bank War between President Jackson and the Second Bank of the United States reflects the core principles of Jacksonian Democracy.
  • The Bank War, in which President Jackson fought against the renewal of the Second Bank of the United States' charter, was a major political battle that exemplified the core principles of Jacksonian Democracy. Jacksonian Democrats saw the Bank as a symbol of the elite and privileged classes, and they believed that it wielded too much power and influence over the economy and the political process. By attacking the Bank, Jackson was able to position himself as a champion of the common people against the entrenched interests of the wealthy and powerful. The Bank War also reflected the Jacksonian emphasis on limiting the power of the federal government and devolving more authority to the states and the people, as the Bank was seen as a centralized, undemocratic institution.

Related terms

Spoils System: The practice of appointing political supporters to government positions as a reward for their loyalty and campaign contributions.

Nullification Crisis: A conflict between the federal government and the state of South Carolina over the issue of states' rights and the power to nullify federal laws.

Bank War: The conflict between President Andrew Jackson and the Second Bank of the United States, which resulted in the bank's charter not being renewed.