The Jacksonian Revolution: Myth And Reality

1128 Words5 Pages
The Jacksonian Revolution: Myth and Reality Jacksonian Revolution, over time, has come to epitomize the myth and reality of a new era in American democracy. The years from 1828 to 1848 are known as the Age of Jackson or the Jacksonian era. It was a time when many Americans came to define democracy more inclusively and equality more broadly and a time in which the basic “noble republican standards of the Founders” were thrown out, and new democratic ideals were brought in. The Jacksonian era was a time of radical change and reform with revolutionary liberating effects. In 1828, the fact that Andrew Jackson was running for president came as a shock to many Americans after an era of great presidents and leaders such as Washington, Jefferson, or James Madison. A lady even cried: “Well, if Andrew Jackson can be president, anybody can”. The revolution started with an overthrow of the noble republican standards by the common people. And “Old Hickory” Jackson sparked many of new democratic ideals. As the industrial revolution progressed after the War of 1812, great changes and numerous advancements expedited the growth of the nation. Transportation, such as canals, bridges, and railroads, were developed at great speed. The revolution brought on many new ideas that were so strongly changing and developing. The most important event was probably the establishment of universal manhood suffrage: all white men became eligible to vote. The arrival of thousands of new voters was to change American politics forever. Previously, only the wealthy and better educated were involved in the government and there were no political parties. An entirely new generation of politicians who favored political parties appeared at the outbreak of the War of 1812. One of them, Martin Van Buren, emphasized the need for a two-party system in America. He and many others tried to structure a party

More about The Jacksonian Revolution: Myth And Reality

Open Document