The Jacksonian period has been celebrated as the era of the “common man” due to Jackson’s personification of the new West, which reflected its opportunism and simplicity directly into his politics and economic policies. Jackson’s spoils system, which introduced rotation of positions in office, gave the option to many able citizens to enter public service. This in turn built up a potent, fair, personalized political machine and reflected the opportunism of the masses, whom were viewed as equal in his eyes. In addition, Jackson strived for governmental simplicity because he was suspicious of the federal government as an institution remote from popular scrutiny. He was hostile to the economic policies of Henry Clay’s American System and sought to reform and sweep out supporters of it through the spoils system. Therefore, with his simple view of politics and fair opportunity that was offered to many to hold a position in office, Jackson was a “common man” who personified the people of the West.
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