Andrew Jackson’s Presidency
The “fathers” of the colonial America believed that only those people who owned property or paid taxes were worthy stake-holders of society and could be honored with the right to vote. (Gilderlehrman.org) Democracy was vied as something that could bring disorder and chaos.
Eventually, USA slowly shifted to democracy after elections in 1800 when democratic-republican triumphed over federalists. By 1820s most of the property restrictions were abolished and politically inexperienced and uneducated masses were granted the right to participate in the voting process. Ironically, the shift to democratic society turned out to become perfect conditions for the ascension of the seventh president of USA, Andrew Jackson, who some call US “bad luck”. (Ushistory.org)Andrew Jackson ran a massive and long campaign that majorly parties, parades, and barbecues, understanding his electorate was common people flattered with their sudden power.
Although Jackson claimed to be protecting the common people’s interests as a president, he was tightly tied with his marriage, friends and business bounds in Tennessee. His campaign was greatly supported by elite who hope to exploit Jackson’s power in their interests. (Ushistory.org)Jackson’s theory of public officers’ rotation, known as the spoils system, implied that rotation in office would allow minimizing the level of corruption. However, actually, it is viewed as a way Jackson could bring his supporters and loyalists to administrative power. Although property restrictions for public servants were abolished as well, many of those who Jackson appointed to office were wealthy and with social influence.
The open (non-secret) written ballot system made it possible to determine who voted for which candidate, which awarded cronyism based on political loyalty and not merit. (Gilderlehrman.org)Andrew Jackson’s presidency was an embodiment of “mob rule” by uneducated mass that bought into his populism, while neither democracy nor the interests of the common men were really stood upon.
Works Cited
Gilderlehrman.org,. 'Winning The Vote: A History Of Voting Rights | The Gilder Lehrman Institute Of American History'. N.p., 2015. Web. 30 Sept. 2015.
Ushistory.org,. 'The Rise Of The Common Man [Ushistory.Org]'. N.p., 2015. Web. 30 Sept. …
