Jacksonian period (1824-1840)

During the Jacksonian time period a political revolution occurred, which proved that the common people now had the vote and the reform movement of the spoil system was introduced, which gave the common man the opportunity to hold a position in a political office.
During the election of 1828, the shift of the political center of gravity from the conservative eastern seaboard towards the emerging states across the mountains occurred. Most common people from the West, the South, and partially the sweat-stained laborers from New England supported Jackson, who himself was an uncommon common man, not even having attended a university; he was a genuine folk hero. This election showed that common people were now politically involved and that it was necessary to appeal to their needs in order to succeed. Under Jackson the spoil system was introduced to the federal government. In this system political supporters were rewarded with a public office. Experience and the ability to profit the country, became less important that the being of common heritage and supporting Jackson. The system promoted the belief that “every man is as good as his neighbor” – “perhaps equally better” (pg. 268), which also supported the rotation in office regardless of who was put in office, which gave the common man a chance to hold a political office.