Sunday, November 4, 2007

Jacksonian Period of the Common Man

The Jacksonian period was the ultimate era of the common man because of the economic development that centered around the poor back farmers of the West and South and the political development that brought poor common folk into the White House. The economic development was shown in by the Tariff of 1828. This tariff was endorsed by manufacturers who wanted protection for their goods. It was meant to tax up to 45% of the manufactured good’s value, while imposing a heavy tariff on certain raw materials. This increased the economy of US because it became cheaper to buy goods in the country rather then from foreign markets. The common man was in charge of the economical development of his country. The political development appeared as the formation of a second party system with the increase of voter interest in politics. The voters were common people who decided on their Electoral College and their president. The political parties of the period did anything that would gain the publics attention and support. The candidates for presidency developed banners that would relate to the general public as well as parades and official events that would gain public support. The common man in the Jacksonian era had a lot of power at his advantage.

7 comments:

Ms. Chipman said...

But, Lesya, doesn't the tariff hurt the common man because it makes what they need to buy more expensive?

Also, you said voting was done by the "common man." How did voting change during this time?

Max Gora said...

How did more poor people come into the government? The spoils system was enacted by Jefferson thus limiting the amount of poor people that could "apply" for positions.

George Wilde said...

I think that the statement "This increased the economy of US because it became cheaper to buy goods in the country rather then from foreign markets." is rather sweeping. That particular tariff act was actually a political bluff in order to discredit Adams and give Jackson a boost. But the existing congress unwittingly called that bluff. Furthermore, the bill actually became a huge detriment to the South and did not increase the economy of the entire united states.

simeonburke said...

Yes and No to Ms. Chipman, because thru the Tariff they rose the price of the GBR good that could be bought, the American manufacturer then could safely raise his price to 1 cent less than the GBR good and say that it is the "cheapest in America"-Bailey 263. So the manufacturers-who are common men benefit their but at the same time the common men who are buying do not benefit. Win lose situation.

simeonburke said...

Yeah, the Tariff only helped the North.

simeonburke said...

Wait....manufacturers are common men right?

simeonburke said...

Oh wait...I know. The manufacturers who may not have been common men, thru their goods being sold at higher prices could thus raise their wages because of profit thus benefiting the common man. QED Motha.